Recently, Carlos Baigorri, the Director of the National Telecommunications Agency of Brazil (Anatel), stated in an interview with Brazilian media that public consultations on spectrum allocation for 6G (sixth-generation wireless communication technology) are set to begin in August 2025. The formal auction tender announcement (Edital) is expected to be released in October 2026, marking Brazil's official entry into the preparation stage for 6G technology, paving the way for the next generation of high-speed wireless communication.

6G is widely seen as a significant technological upgrade from 5G communication, offering not only faster transmission speeds but also lower latency. It is expected to play a greater role in areas such as the Internet of Things, telemedicine, and virtual reality. According to Anatel's plans, the upcoming auction will involve multiple spectrum resources, with companies competing through bidding to secure usage rights. These frequency bands are like "highways" for data transmission, with the entities controlling these bands gaining a strategic advantage in the future development of communication.

Zhongjin understands that the estimated investment amount for this 6G auction has not been finalized. While Anatel's interim commissioner Vinícius Caram previously mentioned at an event that the 6G network technology auction could attract investments of around 50 billion Brazilian Reais, Director Baigorri cautiously pointed out in the interview: "Regarding the estimation of the amount, we are still in the preliminary stages, and the final amount will depend on the results of public consultations, discussions with the Federal Court of Audit (TCU), and the clear definition of service objectives." He emphasized that any estimates must be made after a more in-depth technical and policy analysis.

Reflecting on the experience of the 5G auction, in 2021, Anatel successfully conducted Brazil's largest-ever wireless spectrum auction, involving the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz frequency bands. The bidding process was completed in less than 40 days after the announcement was published, raising over 47 billion Brazilian Reais. This auction not only laid the groundwork for the nationwide expansion of the 5G network but also injected significant market vitality into the telecommunications industry.

Baigorri stated that if the 6G auction can replicate the success of the 5G auction, the formal auction could take place shortly after the tender announcement is released, possibly completing the entire bidding process before the end of 2026. This demonstrates Anatel's firm determination and efficient execution in advancing the modernization of communication infrastructure.

6G technology is currently in the global research and testing phase, with international standards not fully unified. However, major countries and companies have already begun preparing technically and strategically. Brazil aims to ensure it is not marginalized when the 6G era arrives by preparing early, maintaining its technological leadership in the Latin American region.

The upcoming 6G spectrum auction is not just a technological upgrade but a significant event involving national strategy, market competition, and future innovation. It will provide crucial support for Brazil's digital transformation and bring new development opportunities for businesses, investors, and consumers.