Brazil’s National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) has approved financing of R$65mn (US$11.9mn) for Highline to build 181 towers and expand 4G and 5G mobile coverage using resources from the Telecommunications Services Universalisation Fund (Fust).
Set up in 2000, the Fust is a tool used by the government to fund projects that increase access to telecommunication services in remote and underprivileged areas.
The project foresees the installation of 181 towers in rural and urban areas across 23 states with an emphasis on favelas. According to BNDES, towers can host multiple operators. Most of the resources will be allocated to the construction of 145 towers to serve 124 favelas spread across the country, in addition to eight rural locations in Bahia, Maranhão and Piauí.
BNDES says that locations have been selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) and the Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger (MDS). The remaining 36 towers will serve 28 rural or urban territories.
“Fust will continue to fund projects like this, to bring digital inclusion to places where connectivity is still a challenge. This creates more job opportunities for residents, who in turn have more access to public and private services,” said Communications Minister Juscelino Filho.”
Highline was created back in November 2012 to serve the Brazilian market with its Build-to-suit (BTS) and co-location services. In addition to towers, it manages rooftops, indoor building systems and small cells.
Currently Highline reports owning 14,000 towers in Brazil.
