RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – After Vice President Hamilton Mourão advocated the use of Chinese Huawei technology to implement 5G in Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro disavowed him and sent him a message at an event in the Planalto on Tuesday, December 8th. The Chief Executive said more than once that the issue may only be discussed with him if it is first passed by Minister of Communications Fábio Faria.
“No one will come to discuss 5G with me – and the agenda is not open to anyone – unless they come with Minister of Communications Fábio Faria,” said Bolsonaro at an event in the Planalto. Bolsonaro pointed out that each Minister has their own assignment and mentioned that the vaccine issue is also only discussed with Minister of Health Eduardo Pazuello present.
He reiterated his message to Mourão again during his speech: “I repeat, no one will discuss 5G with me without first talking to Fábio Faria,” he said. On Monday, December 7th, Mourão said that Huawei equipment is in 40% of the 3G and 4G networks in the country and that a potential ban on the company’s 5G will increase the cost of services for consumers.
Earlier, Faria had also commented on the matter and dismissed Mourão from the discussion. On Tuesday, after welcoming representatives of the five main providers in the country (Vivo, Claro, Oi, TIM and Algar Telecom), the Minister said that the 5G network would be handled by the Ministry of Communications and the Presidency of the Republic.
“This issue will be handled by myself and the President, because Mourão is busy with the Amazon Council, which requires much focus and hard work. I don’t think he will have time to also handle the 5G issue, which is being well addressed by the Ministry,” said the Minister.
The government’s military and ideological wings advocate the enforcement of restrictions to ban Huawei in Brazil. Mourão’s statement on Monday was supported by Chamber president, Rodrigo Maia.
A target of international pressure, particularly from the U.S. government, the 5G auction is scheduled for the end of the first semester of 2021. The National Agency of Telecommunications (ANATEL) is expected to publish the bidding notice by the end of February, but has no power to ban the Chinese supplier.