On Wednesday (24), the federal deputy, Covatti Filho (PP / RS), coordinator of the Agricultural Policy of the Parliamentary Front of Agriculture and Livestock (FPA), presented a bill (PL 10.900 / 2018) authorizing the use of resources of the Telecommunications Services Universalization Fund (FUST) to promote broadband access, especially in rural areas.
The current legislation admits the allocation of Fust exclusively to fixed telephony, whose service has been decreasing year by year. The result is that the Fund has already raised more than R $ 20 billion, but due to the decay of the fixed telephone service, only 787 thousand were destined for its purposes.
According to the deputy, his project intends to give an effective and adequate destination for the Fund. “We will eliminate the legal barriers that prevent the expansion of the Internet in rural areas,” says Covatti Filho.
In addition, the project establishes that the broadband massification programs carried out with Fust funds are preferably implemented with the support of small and medium Internet providers.
“With the measure, we expect to expand access to the Internet and generate jobs of higher qualification, especially in small towns, thus contributing to deconcentrate income and overcome the immense regional inequalities that still persist in the country.”
Deputy Raquel Muniz (PSD-MG), a member of the FPA, is in favor of the project and believes that this technology should reach everyone. “Everyone knows that agriculture held the country at a time of crisis, so we have to guarantee access to technology to small farmers.” She also stressed the importance of broadband reaching small farmers at no cost.
“It’s important that it comes at no cost and as soon as possible so that they can issue notes and also that they may be following technologies that can help them.” Raquel Muniz says that they are projects made jointly with the municipalities and she hopes that she can meet this year to all who do not have access.
Fust
The Telecommunication Services Universalization Fund (FUST) was established through Law 9,998, dated August 17, 2000, to finance the implementation of services in the sector – especially for the most deprived population – that would not normally be provided by private companies due to costs and low return. By law, the Ministry of Communications is charged with formulating policies to guide Fust applications. The National Telecommunication Agency (ANATEL) is responsible for implementing and supervising the projects.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.