Brazilian regulator Anatel has lifted a partial ban on new sales of mobile phone plans. Anatel also said that it would continue monitoring to ensure operators fulfill investments to improve overburdened networks and poor customer service, Reuters reports. According to Anatel, mobile operators Oi, TIM and Claro had provided satisfactory plans to ensure better service and coverage.
Back on 18 July, Anatel ordered Brazil’s three largest mobile operators to stop selling new mobile plans in states where they were providing poor customer service and spotty wireless coverage.TIM was banned from selling plans in 19 states, Oi in five states and Claro in three.
Anatel lifted the suspension after the carriers committed to increase investments over the next few years by a combined BRL 4 billion (approximately USD 1.96 billion), bringing total spending plans by the companies in the period to BRL 20 billion (approximately USD 9.8 billion). The regulator also plans to start examining the investments on a quarterly basis to ensure service and coverage are improving. Operators that do not comply will face fines and penalties.
"This improvement plan is just a first step. We'll continue to closely monitor the improvements in services and the networks," said Anatel president Joao Rezende. "We recognize that services aren't going to improve overnight, but in the call centers, it's possible to resolve the problems in the short term," he said, adding that network improvements would take longer, probably four to six months.
