Brazil’s multi-band 5G spectrum public sale concluded in November 2021, leading to complete commitments of $8.5 billion (BRL 47.2 billion) and bids from main gamers: Telefónica Brasil (Vivo), Claro Brasil, and TIM Brasil. It additionally garnered consideration from established regional corporations, similar to Algar Telecom and Sercomtel, in addition to a number of lesser-known individuals.
How are Brazil’s 5G licensees making progress three and a half years later? Here is what the information says.
Telefónica Brasil (Vivo)
- Spectrum Acquired: 2.3GHz, 3.5GHz, and 26GHz
- 5G Launch Date: July 2022
- Complete 5G Cell Websites Deployed: 17,184 (Could 2025)
- 5G Inhabitants Protection: 63.2% (Could 2025)
- Complete 5G Subscriptions: 19,217,604 (Could 2025)
The “Large Three” operators all switched on their 5G networks in tandem, with synchronized launches in Brasília in July 2022.
The three.5GHz band was freed up on a rolling foundation, with the method concluding on December 2, 2024, some 14 months forward of schedule. Since that date, all 5,570 cities and cities in Brazil have been accepted for 5G, though precise community deployments fluctuate amongst operators.
Three-and-a-half years after receiving its 5G licenses, Vivo—Brazil’s largest cellular operator by subscriptions—can declare the nation’s most in depth 5G subscription base.
As of Could 2025 (the latest official information obtainable), there have been roughly 19.2 million customers linked to its 5G Standalone community.
Vivo’s 5G footprint at the moment spans 17,184 cell websites throughout 562 municipalities, delivering protection to 63.2% of the inhabitants.
TIM Brasil
- Spectrum Acquired: 2.3GHz, 3.5GHz, and 26GHz
- 5G Launch Date: July 2022
- Complete 5G Cell Websites Deployed: 13,189 (Could 2025)
- 5G Inhabitants Protection: 62.3% (Could 2025)
- Complete 5G Subscriptions: 11,627,165 (Could 2025)
Like its chief rivals, TIM Brasil activated its 3.5GHz 5G community in July 2022 and has since deployed the nation’s most in depth fifth-generation cellular community.
Whereas the community solely spans 13,189 cell websites—far fewer than Vivo—TIM nonetheless manages to supply 5G entry in a whopping 705 municipalities, greater than double the quantity served by Claro. This footprint was equal to inhabitants protection of 62.3%
Though it has made vital inroads by way of 5G infrastructure, TIM Brasil claimed 11.6 million 5G subscriptions in Could 2025, inserting it behind Claro and Vivo by way of uptake.
Claro Brasil
- Spectrum Acquired: 2.3GHz, 3.5GHz, and 26GHz
- 5G Launch Date: July 2022
- Complete 5G Cell Websites Deployed: 12,595 (Could 2025)
- 5G Inhabitants Protection: 54.0% (Could 2025)
- Complete 5G Subscriptions: 16,128,080 (Could 2025)
Claro Brasil—the telco backed by regional powerhouse América Móvil—is doing its greatest to maintain tempo with Vivo, with 16.1 million 5G accounts on its books as of Could 2025.
Nevertheless, Claro has a notably smaller 5G footprint than its long-term rival. The operator has 12,595 5G cell websites in service, offering protection to 317 cities and cities, which account for about 54% of the inhabitants.
With one eye on the long run, in July 2024, Claro introduced that it had achieved obtain speeds of 10.4 Gbps in a 5.5G (5G-Superior) trial carried out alongside Huawei. The take a look at, which was carried out outdoor in Lago Sul (Brasilia), used 800MHz of millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum, which was aggregated with 270MHz of current 5G frequencies.
Brisanet Telecomunicacoes
- Spectrum Acquired: 2.3GHz and three.5GHz
- 5G Launch Date: August 2023
- Complete 5G Cell Websites Deployed: 1,691 (Could 2025)
- 5G Inhabitants Protection: 4.4% (Could 2025)
- Complete 5G Subscriptions: 66,738 (Could 2025)
Ceara-based ISP Brisanet acquired a trio of 5G licenses in November 2021’s spectrum public sale: a pair of 80MHz 3.5GHz licenses protecting the Northeast and the Midwest, alongside a 50MHz block of two.3GHz spectrum protecting the Northeast.
Huawei was chosen as Brisanet’s 5G vendor in Could 2022, and the telco switched on 4G/5G connectivity in August 2023 utilizing the two.3GHz band. It at the moment presents cellular entry to 4.4% of the inhabitants, by way of 1,691 cell websites throughout 144 cities.
Regardless of its greatest efforts, Brisanet is struggling to generate buyer curiosity and claimed simply 66,738 5G subscribers as of Could 2025.
In line with the phrases of its 5G license, Brisanet is dedicated to activating fifth-generation cellular companies in 1,437 cities with fewer than 30,000 inhabitants between 2026 and 2029, however is optimistic about fulfilling all regulatory necessities earlier than the top of 2026.
Unifique
- Spectrum Acquired: 3.5GHz (as a part of Consorcio 5G Sul)
- 5G Launch Date: November 2023
- Complete 5G Cell Websites Deployed: 235 (Could 2025)
- 5G Inhabitants Protection: 0.8% (Could 2025)
- Complete 5G Subscriptions: 157,538 (Could 2025)
Alongside fellow fixed-line operator Ligga Telecom (previously generally known as Copel Telecom), Unifique efficiently bid on a regional 3.5 GHz license within the November 2021 5G spectrum public sale.
By means of the “Consorcio 5G Sul” consortium, the businesses agreed to pay BRL 73.6 million for an 80 MHz block of spectrum (3620 MHz-3700 MHz). Nevertheless, “goodwill” of roughly BRL 69 million will likely be transformed into funding commitments serving areas within the south of the nation. (Observe: Unifique holds a 62.77% stake within the JV, whereas Ligga owns the remaining 37.23% share.)
In April 2023, Unifique enlisted Chinese language vendor ZTE to provide 5G gear to assist its community rollout. Unifique went on to launch 5G cellular know-how on November 11, 2023, in Garuva (Santa Catarina).
Regardless of having a much smaller community footprint than its fellow newcomer Brisanet—simply 235 cell websites throughout 58 municipalities—Unifique has managed to enroll greater than double the variety of 5G subscriptions, and served 157,538 5G customers as of Could 2025.
By the top of 2029, Unifique intends to supply 5G connectivity in all municipalities with fewer than 30,000 inhabitants within the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, in addition to in different cities of curiosity, similar to state capitals.
Algar Telecom
- Spectrum Acquired: 2.3GHz, 3.5GHz, and 26GHz
- 5G Launch Date: December 2021
- Complete 5G Cell Websites Deployed: 191 (Could 2025)
- 5G Inhabitants Protection: 1.3% (Could 2025)
- Complete 5G Subscriptions: Undisclosed
Algar secured 5G-suitable frequencies within the 2.3 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz bands, occurring to launch 5G Non-Standalone companies utilizing the two.3 GHz band on December 15, 2021. From launch, the community lined chosen areas of Uberlândia, Uberaba, and Franca in São Paulo.
Neither trade watchdog Anatel nor Algar Telecom has issued statistics relating to the uptake of the 5G companies. Nevertheless, it’s value noting that Algar’s cellular community at the moment serves much more M2M/IoT accounts than it does cellular telephony clients.
Algar operates 191 5G cell websites spanning 33 cities and cities inside its conventional working area.
Ligga Telecom (previously Copel Telecom)
- Spectrum Acquired: 3.5GHz (as a part of Consorcio 5G Sul)
- 5G Launch Date: H2 2025 (deliberate); firm staff have been finishing up proof-of-concept testing in March 2025
- Complete 5G Cell Websites Deployed: 20 FWA cell websites
- 5G Inhabitants Protection: N/A
- Complete 5G Subscriptions: Zero
Ligga Telecom (previously Copel Telecom) launched a 5G fastened wi-fi entry (FWA) community in Manaus on November 20, 2023, utilizing its 3.5 GHz spectrum. The telco has deployed 20 FWA cell websites in District 1 of Manaus Free Commerce Zone, utilizing public lighting infrastructure to accommodate its Nokia transmission gear.
Ligga has subsequently turned its consideration towards the launch of a cellular answer. Certainly, in March 2025, new Ligga CEO Rosangela Miqueletti revealed that proof-of-concept testing was being carried out by firm staff, forward of a proposed launch in Curitiba, the capital of Parana. The corporate hopes to launch its cellular service earlier than the top of 2025.
Ligga’s sister firm, Sercomtel, efficiently bid on a 1×80 MHz block of 5G-suitable 3.5 GHz spectrum protecting the North and São Paulo.
Sercomtel—which hasn’t upgraded its 3G networks to 4G—subsequently agreed to promote its 3.5G Hz licenses to Consorcio Amazonia 5G, an alliance of native ISPs, in April 2025. As well as, in June 2025, Anatel approved the switch of Sercomtel’s cellular license and related spectrum permits to Ligga.
iez! Telecom
- Spectrum Acquired: 3.5GHz
- 5G Launch Date: Launch slated for 2025
- Complete 5G Cell Websites Deployed: 0
- 5G Inhabitants Protection: N/A
- Complete 5G Subscriptions: Zero
Cloud2u, a subsidiary of Grupo Greatek, gained a 1×80MHz block of three.5GHz spectrum in Brazil’s multi-band 5G spectrum public sale. In February 2023, the corporate rebranded itself as iez! Telecom, and commenced testing of a 5G fastened wi-fi entry (FWA) platform in São José dos Campos. Preliminary trials yielded obtain speeds of as much as 850Mbps.
In January 2024, iez! signed a contract with TowerCo Highline to make use of 1,000 cell towers within the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Espirito Santo forward of its deliberate 5G launch. The operator will stage an preliminary pilot mission in a metropolis with fewer than 30,000 inhabitants earlier than making ready a full rollout schedule. The newcomer goals to focus on the cellular and FWA sectors, whereas additionally offering a platform for MVNOs.
In line with its licensing situations, the corporate has 5G protection obligations in a complete of 777 cities. Particularly, 25% of those areas have to be lined by 2026, one other 25% by 2027, and 25% by 2028, with the rest to be serviced by 2029.
Winity Telecom
- Spectrum Acquired: 700MHz
- 5G Launch Date: Cancelled; license returned to Anatel in December 2023
- Complete 5G Cell Websites Deployed: N/A
- 5G Inhabitants Protection: N/A
- Complete 5G Subscriptions: N/A
Lastly, Winity Telecom—a holding firm backed by different asset administration agency Patria Investimentos—efficiently bid on a nationwide 2×10 MHz 700 MHz license in Brazil’s 5G spectrum public sale. Winity paid $276.8 million (BRL 1.428 billion), the very best bid for a single spectrum lot within the public sale.
In September 2022, Winity enlisted Amdocs to assist the rollout of its 4G and 5G networks throughout distant communities in Brazil. Then, in June 2023, it teamed up with satellite tv for pc operator Hughes do Brasil (HughesNet) and regional participant Algar Telecom to launch its “RuralChip” LTE pilot mission.
The service went reside on June 16, 2023, utilizing Winity’s spectrum within the 700 MHz band. The pilot came about in two Maranhão-based cities: Presidente Juscelino and Cururupu.
Hughes provided every cell website with a high-capacity backhaul answer, whereas Algar provided using its community operations heart and information heart. Ericsson gear was utilized in Presidente Juscelino, whereas the Cururupu cell website leveraged Nokia know-how.
The newcomer deliberate to construct 5,000 cell towers by 2029 and set up itself as Brazil’s first wholesale operator, however made negligible progress and in the end returned its 700MHz concession to Anatel in December 2023 after failing to fulfill its obligation to cowl 250 unserved areas by the identical deadline.
Subsequently, a number of 3.5GHz license holders have been granted secondary spectrum entry to the 700MHz band on a short-term foundation. Going ahead, Anatel plans to prioritize a brand new public sale of the 700MHz band in late 2025 or early 2026.
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