The Telecommunications Universalization Fund (Portuguese-language acronym FUST) can be used to subsidize the cost of equipping low-income households with fixed telephone lines between now and the end of 2005. Subscribers in remote rural properties may also benefit, according to Communications Minister Juarez Quadros. Anatel may tie continuation of subsidies beyond 2005 to obligations when renewing telco concessions. The FUST fund can also finance wireless access for rural subscribers using WLL or satellite solutions. In the case of low-income households in urban areas near the major fixed-line networks, telcos will have to fund installation of lines themselves.
Universalization
