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The focus is on schools, favelas and rural areas and the resources come from the Telecommunications Services Universalization Fund (FUST), in partnership between the bank and the Ministry of Communications

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Published on 08/14/2023 5:39 pm

BNDES expands credit for broadband access by R$1.1 billion

Photo: Joel Rodrigues/Agência Brasília

 

The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) will increase the offer of credit to the telecommunications sector by R$1.1 billion, through the Telecommunications Services Universalization Fund (FUST) in joint action with the Ministry of Communications ( MCom).

 

We seek to expand the economic frontier of telecommunications networks, financing projects in areas without adequate connection, with an initial focus on schools, rural areas, small municipalities and favelas”

 

Aloisio Mercadante, president of BNDES

Companies providing telecommunications services and other entities with activities compatible with the projects will have access to credit for investment in initiatives that expand access to broadband internet in the country, especially in schools, favelas and rural areas.

 

This is the first structured use in the history of FUST, and BNDES will be the financial agent for the resources. Operations can be contracted in direct (credit from R$ 10 million) and indirect (financing of up to R$ 10 million through onlending agents). In the future, non-refundable alternatives will also be offered.

 

“In this first phase, we seek to expand the economic frontier of telecommunications networks, financing projects in areas without adequate connection, with an initial focus on schools, rural areas, small municipalities and favelas, as well as supporting the acquisition of equipment for the expansion of small telecommunications providers. internet through onlending financial agents”, explained the president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante.

 

"The priority is public schools, health units and communities that are difficult to access and that is why we put this public in the direct reimbursable modality. It is a big investment that we are making to reduce inequalities and bring internet access to regions that are currently digitally excluded”, highlighted the Minister of Communications, Juscelino Filho.

 

For information on how to access the fund's resources, interested companies can visit the BNDES website

 

DIRECT OPERATIONS - In addition to the minimum value of R$10 million, direct operations with BNDES must necessarily focus on the installation of broadband in areas that do not have adequate access to the service. To do so, they must meet one or more areas indicated in a list prepared by Anatel (https://informacoes.anatel.gov.br/paineis/infraestrutura/projetos-FUST).

 

The new line will have a payment term of up to 15 years and participation of up to 100% of the total value of the projects. The interest rate will be formed by the financial cost TR (Reference Rate), BNDES remuneration of 2.5% per year and the credit risk rate, which will vary depending on the client's risk and the financing terms. Projects to connect schools, favelas or priority rural areas will have even better conditions, with BNDES remuneration of 1% per year.

 

INDIRECT OPERATIONS - Micro, small and medium-sized internet providers may have access to credit of up to R$10 million (every 12 months) for the acquisition of telecommunications equipment (accredited with BNDES). The objective is to expand connectivity services and strengthen local technology providers. Financial agents transferring BNDES resources will be able to offer the line of credit to interested companies from September this year.

 

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