Mobile data usage has been steadily increasing in Brazil since 2018 and will double by 2028. In early 2023, Brazilian mobile operators joined the GSMA’s We Care campaign to address gaps in mobile coverage. The GSMA is a global mobile trade body advocating for governmental policies and promoting coverage expansion in emerging markets. As part of the We Care campaign, Brazil’s major mobile operators Vivo, Claro, and TIM (Telecom Italia) produced a collaborative report on the country’s mobile sector.

Being the most populous Latin American country, Brazil’s mobile industry is the largest in the region by subscribers and revenue, but Brazil’s geography creates unique infrastructure challenges for mobile coverage. Despite mobile telephony producing the most revenue in Brazil’s telecoms sector, about a third of the Brazilian population is unconnected. Brazil has a mobile coverage gap of 8% – the largest in Latin America – and a 10% usage gap in covered areas, which reflects in the average monthly data usage per user being the lowest in Latin America. The GSMA’s report attributes these gaps to lack of coverage, digital literacy, and affordability. 5G networks first appeared in Brazil just last year, reaching only 184 of 5,570 municipalities. However, Brazilian regulator Anatel has prioritized 5G expansion promising coverage in 100% of the municipalities by December 2029 as per their coverage commitments with active 5G operators. The collaboration with the GSMA, as well as the individual efforts from operators implementing initiatives, will bolster Brazil’s already increasing mobile data usage.