Sources linked to equipment vendors say Brasil Telecom (BrT) has suspended the competitive bidding for its wireless network and raised doubts again as to the technology it plans to adopt. The move was a response to Communications Minister Miro Teixeira?s support for permission to use 1900 MHz for PCS and hence for CDMA. According to reliable reports BrT had already opted for GSM and narrowed down its probable suppliers to Nortel and Alcatel. Nokia, which (like Alcatel) supplies only GSM equipment, has reportedly joined the fray with an aggressively priced financing package.
Unlike Vésper, BrT hasn?t been lobbying very hard for enforcement of Resolution 314, which allows secondary use of 1900 MHz for PCS, even though it too is interested in using the frequency. In any event, BrT clearly can?t wait too long for Anatel to make its mind up because the telco has to choose suppliers, plan installation of cellsites, and begin building out its network as soon as possible. That?s why equipment vendors are betting GSM still has a stronger chance than CDMA.
GSM vs. CDMA
