Brazilian congressman Ivo José has proposed a bill to allow Anatel to prioritise municipal internet access projects when it disburses money from the universal service fund Fust.
The bill proposes that the fund be used by city governments to help defray the cost of implementing municipal internet access projects. To receive funding, each municipality would need to apply to the communications ministry and Anatel.
"There is no point in just including telephony in the universal access program. Universal internet access is far more important, and perhaps less costly. Further, with the advent of IP telephony, universal internet access will bring universal telephony," José said.
The bill will now be reviewed by a series of government commissions.
Earlier this month, Brazil's government allocated US$ 288 million out of Fust for rural communities without fixed line telephones. All Brazilian telecom operators are required to contribute to the Fust fund by making monthly payments equivalent to 1% of their revenues.
Fust was established in January 2001 to finance telecom access to low-income groups, schools, hospitals, libraries and remote locations. The money has been tied up due to conflicting legal interpretations about how to use the resources. The decision on how to disburse the funds is up to the education and communications ministries.
Source: Business News Americas - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News |