Introduction

On March 24th, 2020, the National Telecommunication Agency (ANATEL) announced crucial actions to combat the pandemic in Brazil. Recognizing the vital role of the telecommunications sector, ANATEL has implemented several measures to keep Brazil connected.

These initiatives aim to ensure that telecommunications services remain available to accommodate the increasing demand for internet access, especially for individuals working remotely and those wishing to stay connected with friends and family.

Measures to be Taken:

1. The Services Will Continue to Work
   Telecommunications providers will adopt action plans to ensure that services continue operating despite significant changes in usage patterns. Furthermore, initiatives will be in place to guarantee that technical, administrative, and customer service teams can safely fulfill their roles, considering any mobility restrictions set forth by the government.

2. Health and Public Security Services Will Have Special Support
   Providers will prioritize support for entities delivering public utility services, including healthcare facilities. Additionally, the Ministry of Health will be granted access to the number 196 for ongoing pandemic-related support activities.

3. Consumer Difficulties Will Be Addressed
   Providers will modify payment mechanisms for bills, ensuring that the population can continue accessing telecommunications services even during times of social isolation. Special measures will focus on consumers utilizing prepaid credits.

4. The Population Will Be Well Informed
   Providers will disseminate alerts and informational messages to the public as requested by the relevant authorities. They also will permit free access to the Coronavirus application, as developed by the Ministry of Health.

ANATEL and the Telecommunications Service Providers will maintain a crisis management office to coordinate additional actions aimed at mitigating the crisis's impact.

Moreover, within the Risk Management and Monitoring of Telecommunications Networks Performance Group (GGRR), ANATEL will ensure a permanent environment for assessing traffic conditions and the capacity of telecommunications networks. The focus will be on monitoring networks and collaborating with providers, public authorities, and the private sector, particularly internet content providers, to implement necessary crisis resolution measures. Emergency solutions will be prioritized to ensure service continuity and access for the Brazilian population, while complying with standard operational rules.

This public commitment does not exclude Providers from adopting supplementary measures to support society.

For more information, please contact info@orbiscompliance.com - mailto:info@orbiscompliance.com or (408) 465-7331.