2024-03-22 16:44:00
A decision taken by Anatel in February 2024 caused disapproval from Associação Neo, representative of medium-sized operators. The measure authorizes operators to block cell phones that are in permanent roaming for more than 90 days, which can cause serious problems for thousands of users across Brazil.
Anatel’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the measure as compensation for the purchase of Oi Móvel carried out in 2022.
The new rule defines that cell phones in permanent roaming are those that are outside their home network (DDD) for more than 90 days, consecutive or notover a period of one year.
As lines in permanent roaming are considered irregular, now operators have the power to block devices who use them.
In this way, customers of operators such as Brisanet, Algar and Unifique can now have their cell phones blocked at any time, as these telcos use permanent roaming to offer access to their services.
For example, the blocking of people/accesses who are traveling for more than 90 days within a year was authorized (all Brazilians are now prevented from traveling for up to 90 days a year or they may have their cell phone blocked! )
Furthermore, Anatel authorizes the operator to issue a fine of R$100, if she cannot lock the device. According to Neo, charges are already being issued by Vivo.
Neo argues that this decision might make several services involving the Internet of Things (IoT) such as vehicle tracking and electronic ankle bracelets unfeasible.
At the moment, the count of permanent roaming days is already being done by Vivo, but This policy should also be adopted by Claro and TIM in the coming months.
Anatel did not comment on Neo’s request, which says that the agency only considered the arguments of the large national operators who “clearly have no interest in serving third parties, much less potential direct competitors –, so that the concept and deadline are the most uninteresting and possible restrictions.
It is worth mentioning that the decision is not permanent and must be discussed once more following Anatel’s response to Neo’s request.
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