06 September 2019

Trials on the 3.5 GHz frequency are being executed with Chinese tech giant Huawei and public research and development body, CERTI foundation

Telecom Italia’s Brazilian subsidiary TIM has started the first 5G tests in South America’s largest nation ahead of commercial launch of the technology forecast for 2021.

Trials on the 3.5 GHz frequency in Florianópolis, the capital of southern Brazil’s Santa Catarina state, are being executed with Chinese tech giant Huawei and CERTI foundation, a public research and development body.

The firm said it planned to develop a reference centre for 5G, with activity including trials related to smart cities, healthcare and agriculture.

“TIM wants to be a 5G pioneer and leader, both in Brazil and Italy,” said Pietro Labriola, chief executive at TIM Brasil. “Our goal is to repeat the path of success of 4G and generate new solutions that improve the lives of our customers and boost the technological development in the country.” 

He also said that government investment, combined with the simplification of procedures for the installation of antennas and fibre, would be “enabling elements” that could position 5G as a vehicle to drive competitiveness and growth in the country.

The Brazilian government plans to auction the 5G spectrum in March 2020.