The lack of compatible cell phones could be an obstacle to the expansion of 5G in Brazil, according to the CEO of Telefônica Vivo, Christian Gerbara, in a press conference held this Wednesday morning (6). The attention scenario is clear from the numbers released by the operator, in which just over 16% of accesses are made on fifth generation networks.
Several investments have been made so that 5G networks can serve a greater number of users in Brazil, but there are still some obstacles for the technology to actually become popular. During the press conference, Gerbara explained that the lack of compatible devices is one of the main issues.
Around 30% of the company’s postpaid customers already have a 5G smartphone, but the number would be much lower among prepaid users, although it has not been disclosed. Still, the brand’s data helps to understand the situation: of the 101 million mobile network accesses registered by Vivo, only 16.6% use 5G networks, which represents an arduous path in the transition from 4G.
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**Interview with Christian Gerbara, CEO of Telefônica Vivo**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Christian. You’ve highlighted the significant challenge of device compatibility in Brazil as a barrier to the expansion of 5G. Can you elaborate on how this lack of compatible smartphones is impacting users’ ability to access 5G networks?
**Christian Gerbara:** Certainly. As I mentioned in the press conference, while we’ve made considerable investments to expand our 5G network, only about 16% of our total mobile accesses are on fifth-generation networks. This statistic starkly illustrates the bottleneck created by device compatibility. Many users, particularly in the prepaid segment, do not have access to 5G smartphones, limiting their ability to benefit from the enhanced speeds and services that we aim to offer.
**Interviewer:** That’s an interesting point. You noted that around 30% of your postpaid customers have 5G smartphones. What strategies are you considering to encourage more users to upgrade their devices?
**Christian Gerbara:** We are exploring several avenues, including partnerships with smartphone manufacturers to offer competitive pricing on 5G devices and incentivizing transitions from 4G to 5G plans. We want to ensure our customers see the value in upgrading their devices to fully leverage the capabilities of our 5G network.
**Interviewer:** With such a significant portion of the population still using 4G, do you think the transition to 5G might stall? What implications could this have for Brazil’s tech landscape?
**Christian Gerbara:** It’s a possibility that we need to address. If we cannot increase the adoption of 5G smartphones, it could hinder the pace of our technological advancement and innovation in the country. The tech landscape thrives on the latest capabilities, and without broader access to those capabilities through compatible devices, we risk falling behind.
**Interviewer:** Given these challenges, how do you envision the conversation around 5G evolving among consumers? What do you think will catalyze a wider acceptance of this technology?
**Christian Gerbara:** Education is key. As we communicate the benefits of 5G—faster speeds, lower latency, and new opportunities for services—consumers will gain a clearer understanding of why upgrading devices is worthwhile. Additionally, as more applications and services built on 5G technology begin to emerge, I believe we will see growing demand, which can drive adoption rates.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Christian. To our readers, how do you feel about the current challenges of transitioning to 5G in Brazil? Do you think the lack of compatible devices is a significant barrier, or are there other factors at play that could be hindering growth? Let’s hear your thoughts!
