The terminals with access to broadband Internet in the country reached 40.9 million in April, according to the Brazilian Association of Telecommunications (Telebrasil). According to the organization, there was an addition of 14.2 million new customers in the last 12 months, representing an increase of 53.2%.
The lifting of Telebrasil considers not only access to broadband and mobile, with a wireless modem. The association also includes the account of the high-speed Internet all third generation cellular (3G) which, besides establishing voice communication, allows data traffic.
In April, the broadband fixed networks totaled 15.3 million, representing an increase of 24.7% over the same month in 2010 (12.3 million). In broadband, the growth was 77.4% in the same period, while the number of modems to access the mobile network has increased from 5.2 million to 6.4 million (23%) and 3G phones from 9 2 million to 19.1 million (107%).
Speed and price
The association also points out that there was an expansion speed of the connections in Brazil. Between 2008 and 2010 data based on a study by consulting Teleco show that the average speed of fixed broadband connections grew by 70% from 1 megabit per second (Mbps) to 1.7 Mbps.
From 2008 to 2010, the price of access lines fell 64%.
The Telebrasil reported that from 2008 to 2010, the price of access lines fell 64% more than the percentage of 52% which corresponds to the global average recorded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). During this period, the base of broadband customers increased by 195%.
The figures presented by the association reported that 28% of connections in Brazil are above 2 Mbps. The expansion of the connection speed was higher in mobile broadband, reaching 78% last year - the average speed of access via cellular modem or 3G would have already passed the threshold of 600 kilobits per second (Kbps) in late 2010.
Another factor that contributed to the expansion of Internet access, it said, the goal was taken by fixed telephony, through the Broadband in Schools Program. By the end of 2010, companies had to connect 57 600 teaching institutions and, until December 2011, should reach 62,700 schools.
Based on preliminary data from Census 2010, the association estimates that 58 million people already have fast internet at home, with 17.4 million households served.
