Fixed broadband can have data franchise in 2017, says Kassab

The franchise model of data in fixed broadband can become a reality in 2017, said Minister of science, technology, innovation and communications (MCTIC) Gilberto Kassab. According to the Minister, the Government and the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) are discussing an easing of fixed broadband plans, opening the possibility for operators to create plans with limits on data usage – as is already the case in mobile broadband.
According to Kassab, in an interview with Power 360 website, the proposal is for "balance" in the use of the internet, "because companies [operators] have their limits". For the Minister, the discussion on the topic will be set by Anatel, only in the second half of 2017-according to him, it is necessary to wait for the definition of telecommunication scenario with the new law of the telcos for the issue of fixed broadband franchises has been discussed. The report sought to Anatel and the MCTIC to detail the statement of Minister Gilberto Kassab, but did not return until the publication of the report.
The Minister''s statements rekindle a debate that seemed to have already been closed. According to the State it was found in early January 2017, the FCC had no plans to resume the discussion on franchise of fixed broadband. The regulatory agency has created a working group to examine the issue at the time of the controversy, but gave no deadline for the completion of the study.
Currently, the Brazilians can use fixed broadband with unlimited data traffic. With the franchise model, operators will be able to create different plans based not only on the speed of the connection, but also in data traffic used by users – if the user exceeds the limit, you must pay additional value to continue browsing.
Context. In 2016, the subject has caused controversy, after the carrier Alive in February, said he would use the franchise model on the internet set from January 2017. In April, the then-President of Anatel John Rezende spoke in favour of the model, saying that the era of unlimited internet had come to an end. Days later, under pressure from consumer protection entities, by the then Minister of communications André Figueiredo and by the order of lawyers of Brazil, Rezende just back.
During the discussion, which rivaled in popularity in social networks with the impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff, the FCC prohibited carriers for "an indefinite period" to limit the use of fixed broadband, until the issue was judged by its Board. A public consultation was also opened at the time to discuss it.
Since then, the subject has been little discussed – not least because, months later, Raj ended up leaving the command of the regulatory agency, and was replaced in October by Juarez 11 Frames.
This week, last Tuesday, 10, the public consultation has been renewed until April 30, due to the large amount of members interested in discussing the topic – were more than 13000 subscribers and 2000 contributions, most of them criticizing the franchise model in fixed broadband.