The OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) carried out this study under the auspices of the Committee on Digital Economy Policy (CDEP) and the Working Party of Communication Infrastructures and Services Policy (WPCISP). The Government of Brazil requested the study through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações, MCTIC) On 10 June 2020, the President of Brazil announced the recreation of the Ministry of Communications (MC), which had existed prior to 2016, when it became MCTIC. At the moment of finalising this report, the implications of this newly re-created ministry for the overall institutional framework where still being discussed in Brazil. The present report only reflects changes in the institutional framework up to 5 June 2020. and the National Telecommunications Agency (Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações, Anatel). Both entities represent Brazil at the CDEP and the WPCISP.

High-quality communication services at competitive prices are the backbone of the digital transformation of the Brazilian economy. The OECD Telecommunication and Broadcasting Review of Brazil 2020 analyses market performance of the communication and broadcasting sectors, as well as underlying policies and regulations. Based on its findings, the report recommends actions in five key areas: improving the policy and regulatory framework; overhauling the taxation, fees and tariff framework; improving market conditions; fostering competition in communication and broadcasting markets; and strengthening national policies and evidence-based policy making. These should be approached simultaneously for a holistic approach to reform.

This chapter summarises policies analysed in subsequent chapters and provides a general assessment of strengths and weaknesses of the Brazilian communication and broadcasting frameworks. It provides insights on potential benefits of further public policy initiatives and of regulatory reform. These include recommendations on how to improve the institutional and regulatory framework; overhaul and the taxation, fees and tariff framework; improve market conditions; foster competition in communication and broadcasting markets; and strengthen national policies and evidence-based policy making.

This chapter is divided between a historical overview of telecommunication policies and a survey of the broadcasting and pay TV sectors in Brazil. Beginning with the establishment of the first Brazilian Telecommunication Code in 1962, the chapter moves to the creation of Telebrás in 1972, and the policy changes that set the stage for liberalisation in the mid-1990s. It then discusses the regulatory and policy framework for the post-privatisation era, including the emergence of mobile voice services and broadband services. The second part traces the development of a policy framework for a national broadcasting market since the liberalisation of the sector. It examines the digital television terrestrial transition, efforts to promote made-in-Brazil audio-visual content and recent trends in broadcasting and pay TV.

This chapter discusses market developments in the telecommunication and broadcasting sectors in Brazil. It examines telecommunication revenue and investment, as well as the availability and quality of communication access paths. After assessing the availability and quality of communication services, it looks at affordability and usage. The last part of the chapter explores essential inputs to communication infrastructures such as backhaul and backbone connectivity, autonomous systems, Internet exchange points, submarine fibre cable, data centres and spectrum availability. The chapter ends with an overview of competition-related concerns, and recent trends in the broadcasting sector and pay TV.

This chapter provides an overview of the institutional framework related to telecommunication and broadcasting in Brazil. It first examines the role of regulatory authorities such as the National Telecommunications Agency, the National Film Agency and the Administrative Council for Economic Defence. The chapter then discusses government institutions engaged in communication policy design, advocacy for competition and consumer protection, among others. Following a review of judicial institutions and high-level oversight bodies, the chapter looks at decentralised structures, as well as the role of non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders. It also analyses the independence of the regulator, as well as the personal liability of public civil servants by accountability and auditing bodies.

This chapter assesses the communication policy and regulatory framework in Brazil. It analyses public policy initiatives, regulatory measures and the main consumer protection issues. Policy and regulatory topics discussed include licensing, regulatory compliance, spectrum management, interconnection and wholesale access regulation, infrastructure sharing and facilitating rights of way. The chapter also assesses ex ante regulation for promoting competition and national policies for expanding access and use of broadband services. It concludes with a discussion on regional integration, international co-operation and international mobile roaming.

This chapter assesses the policy and regulatory framework for broadcasting and pay TV services in Brazil. It looks at licensing of both free-to-air broadcasting and pay TV services, as well as related data collection. Must-carry rules, the digital terrestrial television transition and issues related to public service and community broadcasting are covered. A section on local content examines subsidies and licensing, content quotas and pluralism, and new platforms and services. The second half of the chapter examines competition policy related to mergers and acquisitions, significant market power and advocacy. It also analyses specific competition cases in the communication and broadcasting sectors in light of a convergent environment.

This chapter analyses the taxation of communication and broadcasting services in Brazil. It looks at taxes and fees applied to the communication sector, which affect both operators and consumers, before reviewing broadcasting and pay TV. In addition to discussing taxes and fees, it sheds light on the complexities of the system by examining related import duties, and administrative and compliance costs. It also examines tax incentives to encourage investment in the sector, both at the federal and state level.