Brasil Telecom has opted for GSM as the platform on which to implement its PCS wireless network, according to a number of sources in equipment vendors and network services. BrT itself denies a decision has been reached, but the sources say it doesn?t want to go on waiting for Anatel to make up its mind whether to allow secondary use of the 1900 MHz band by PCS licensees. Both BrT and Vésper have asked Anatel to give permission for use of this frequency, which is suitable only for CDMA.
BrT?s request for proposals was issued jointly with Telemig Celular and Amazônia Celular, which plan to overlay GSM on their existing TDMA networks. The choice of suppliers will be restricted to GSM from now on and should be announced on or around March 15. Observers are betting on Nortel for the area covered by Telemig Celular and the Center-West; and Alcatel for the South and the area covered by Amazônia Celular.
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