Anatel delays decision on TIM spectrum deal

The Board of Directors of Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency postponed on October 8 a decision on TIM's request for secondary use of 700 MHz spectrum held by Unifique and Amazônia 5G across municipalities in the South and São Paulo.

Board member Edson Holanda requested a review of the case, pledging to return the process for the board's next meeting scheduled for November 4. Case rapporteur Octavio Pieranti voted against TIM's request, arguing that the arrangement acts as an industrial exploitation of spectrum rather than simple secondary use.

Pieranti noted that the 700 MHz auction held earlier this year prohibited winners from entering spectrum sharing or industrial exploitation agreements with companies that hold significant market power, such as TIM. Rival operators Claro, Vivo, Datora, and Arqia, alongside the association TelComp, also submitted formal regulatory concerns regarding the transaction.

According to the rapporteur, TIM indicated that the request is part of a broader commercial structure with Unifique and Amazônia 5G that remains in development. Pieranti added that the parties could still submit a future transaction to Anatel once the structure is fully established with complete documentation.