In MWC Barcelona, operators and authorities discussed how to connect the quarter of Brazilian population who do not use mobile internet services despite living within broadband coverage.
21 March, 2023, Bras lia: The Brazilian mobile industry has joined forces for digital inclusion. During MWC Barcelona, the GSMA, the global mobile industry association, with operators Algar, Claro, TIM and Vivo, launched the report Closing the usage gap in Brazil. Key barriers to mobile internet adoption and use.' The study was presented to the Ministry of Communications, the Federal Court of Accounts and the regulatory authority Anatel. The initiative is part of We Care, a global initiative led by the GSMA to support the mobile industry's commitment in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
The majority of Brazilians who cannot enjoy the benefits of mobile connectivity face demand-side barriers rather than constraints linked to network reach, says Lucas Gallitto, Head of Latin America, GSMA. The usage gap is today the main challenge to universal access. By uniting the industry and facilitating a dialogue between the public and private sectors, We Care offers a platform to address it. With this initiative, the Brazilian industry sends a clear message: we care about connecting everyone to the mobile broadband.
According to the report, around 25% of the Brazilian population (54 million people) live within coverage of a network but do not use mobile internet services. The study highlights three main barriers to overcome this situation:
Affordability. In Brazil, an entry-level broadband subscription costs less than 2% of gross national income per capita, a cost aligned with the affordability targets set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The cost of an internet-enabled handset, however, is 6% of monthly GDP per capita, significantly higher than the level seen for the leader countries that have the largest online populations (2.5%). The weight of this barrier is much greater for the lower income segments of the population, and calls for further collaboration to address the issue of handset affordability.
Taxation. Brazil imposes several taxes on mobile services and handsets, including state VAT (ICMS), federal VAT (IPI), municipal services tax (ISS), PIS/COFINS, FUST and FUNTELL charges. Although tax burdens such as ICMS have been reduced in 2022, the proportion of mobile service costs that are driven by taxation in Brazil still remains among the highest globally, equating to approximately 30% of operators' net income. Reducing these sector specific taxes result in more affordable services and handsets for end consumers.
Digital literacy. According to an ITU survey, the percentage of people with basic ICT skills in Brazil is 21%, compared to 62% in leading countries. Considering standard ICT skills, the comparison is 12% versus 46%, while for advanced skills, the percentage in Brazil is 2% versus 8% in leading countries.
Based on the diagnosis, the mobile industry proposed to the authorities a series of public policy recommendations focusing on:
Improve digital literacy by developing a policy impact analysis on current government programmes and an improvement plan in synergy with other digital instruments already made available by telecom companies.
Reform the tax policy of the mobile sector, promoting a simple, transparent and symmetric system, compatible with connectivity goals and a more efficient use of the Universal Telecommunications Service Fund (FUST in Portuguese).
Boost investment incentives through appropriate fiscal and regulatory conditions, public-private partnerships for network deployment in remote areas and the adoption of additional investment alternatives from other players in the digital ecosystem.
The report highlights a series of initiatives put in place by mobile operators in Brazil to address barriers such as digital literacy. For example, Algar's Talents of the Future promotes the development of technical and behavioural skills on young people aged 15 and over. Claro, in partnership with the University of S o Paulo (USP), developed Campus Mobile', a competition for university students and recent graduates focused in various study areas including Education and Smart Cities. TIM partnered with other companies to strengthen the agenda of female empowerment though the project Positive Women'. Vivo's Think Big Tech' program trains educators and students in technology-related topics.
Through the We Care campaign, the mobile industry in Brazil is looking to join forces and collaborate with the Government and authorities to achieve shared goals of connecting everyone to the opportunities offered by mobile broaband connectivity.
Closing the usage gap in Brazil. Key barriers to mobile internet adoption and use' is available for download here.
-ENDS-
About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today's biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
We invite you to find out more at gsma.com
Like what you read? Share.
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Open
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
02/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/07/2026
Following the successful launch of its inaugural APAC Mentoring Programme last month, the Rise AV APAC Regional Council will bring the conversation around mento...
02/07/2026
Blackmagic PYXIS 6K Used to Shoot Director Takahisa Zeze's Cry Out
Brie Clayton July 2, 2026
0 Comments
Highly mobile camera supports tense and de...
02/07/2026
Broadcast Solutions acquires BFE, expanding its lead in European broadcast, medi...
02/07/2026
Berklee Alum and Faculty Perform at Boston Public Library's 250th Anniversar...
02/07/2026
Broadcast Solutions GmbH, a leading systems integrator and provider of innovative solutions for the broadcast media industry, is acquiring BFE Studio und Medien...
02/07/2026
Cinegy GmbH, the premier provider of software-defined television technology, has extended the ingest facility at leading Brazilian sports company LiveMode, work...
02/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/07/2026
Standalone processors acknowledged for the innovation and value they bring to Pro AV
Cobalt Digital, a leading designer and manufacturer of signal processing ...
02/07/2026
Synamedia announced today the appointment of Dr Tzvi Gerstl as Chief Executive Officer. Paul Segre, who has served as CEO for the past six years, will transitio...
02/07/2026
Screen Australia backs audience-led filmmaking with new insight-driven initiativ...
02/07/2026
Screen Australia refines guidelines for Narrative Content Development and Docume...
02/07/2026
Maxon Autograph: Introduction to working with Tables
Simon Ubsdell July 1, 2026
0 Comments
An overview of Autograph's ridiculously powerful tables...
02/07/2026
Boston Conservatory's Soir e Breaks Records to Fund Student Scholarships The event achieved 127 percent of its fundraising goal in an evening celebrating ...
02/07/2026
How Adam Rosenwach Pivoted from Music to Med Tech Without Missing a Beat What do the rehearsal room and the boardroom have in common? More than you might thin...
02/07/2026
Summer is heating up - and GeForce NOW is taking players along for the ride.
Start the month with Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, bringing a galaxy fa...
01/07/2026
Broadcast Management Group (BMG) has announced the appointment of Kathy Samuels ...
01/07/2026
Shade has announced Custom Objects and Automations, a platform expansion releasing June 29, 2026, that adds database and workflow automation capabilities direct...
01/07/2026
FOR-A America has announced the addition of Jaz Wray and Fernando Cruz to its U.S. sales team. Both report to Ernie Leon, Senior VP and Head of Sales and Strate...
01/07/2026
NBC Sports will air all 15 MLB games nationally on Sunday, July 5, across NBC, P...
01/07/2026
Clear-Com has announced a wireless communications upgrade for Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, deploying FreeSpeak II and FreeSpeak Icon systems across both prod...
01/07/2026
England's performance team will use Sony's STATSports APEX GPS tracking system to monitor player physical data in real time during FIFA World Cup 2026 m...
01/07/2026
Adder Technology has announced the appointment of Neil Hillier as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. Hillier succeeds Adrian Dickens, who transiti...
01/07/2026
Bitcentral, Inc. has announced a strategic transaction creating two separate companies. The Production and Playout business will continue as Bitcentral, now own...
01/07/2026
DAZN has announced results from DAZN48, its creator initiative for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Launched in April 2026, the program received thousands of applicatio...
01/07/2026
Sarah Rose, VP, global services, Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT), will be inducted into the Information Display and Entertainment Association (IDEA) Hall of Fame at t...
01/07/2026
Gravity Media and the World Economic Forum's production team provided broadc...
01/07/2026
Insight Productions has announced the launch of Insight Storm, a 53-foot mobile broadcast unit built for esports production. The truck is built around a Ross Vi...
01/07/2026
ESPN has announced several content initiatives marking America's 250th anniversary, as part of The Walt Disney Company's Disney Celebrates America pro...
01/07/2026
Eleven production kits, REMI workflows, and cloud distribution bring 40 World Cu...
01/07/2026
The conference also discussed the opportunities offered an industry that is endu...
01/07/2026
The Mountain West Conference has announced the launch of MW , a direct-to-consumer streaming platform powered by Kiswe. The platform will carry live Mountain We...
01/07/2026
New AI Assistant, Multi-channel Audio, ARA2 improvements & more
Tracktion's DAW software has just received its latest major update, gaining a selection ...
01/07/2026
Stammering, stuttering, strangulated tones
The Crow Hill Company's latest creation promises to be the most original sound set they've produced to d...
01/07/2026
Exclusive run of limited-edition modelling pedals
Sweetwater and Andertons M...
01/07/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Manfrotto Introduces UNCOVER, the new premium camera bag collection for modern h...
01/07/2026
Blackmagic Design Powers Houston Tamil Sangam Literacy Competition
Brie Clayton July 1, 2026
0 Comments
Volunteers use ATEM Mini Pro, Blackmagic Desig...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
PlayBox Technology has published State of Broadcast Infrastructure 2026, an in-depth industry research report examining the technologies, operational challenges...
In MWC Barcelona, operators and authorities discussed how to connect the quarter of Brazilian population who do not use mobile internet services despite living within broadband coverage.
