SAO PAULO, Brazil-The Brazilian government hopes to collect 5.8 billion reals, or US$3.2 billion, through the auction of new personal communications services licenses in Bands C, D and E. The estimate is included in the country’s budget proposal for 2001, published Aug. 31.
According to an official with the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Administration, Jose Guilherme Almeida of Reis, the minimum total price of the licenses was discussed with telecom regulator Anatel. It is relative to payment of two installments-the first in January 2001 and the second in October 2001.
The official revealed the government believes this is a conservative value. Reis also confirmed the budget proposal foresees, for April of next year, collection of 2 billion reals from the payment of the last portion of the Band B cellular licenses.
