On August 20, 2025, Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) issued Official Letter No. 246/2025, formally revoking the temporary authorization that had allowed the certification of equipment using Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) technology in the 1880–1920 MHz range (Band 2). This decision aligns with Brazil’s current spectrum policy, which designates this frequency range exclusively for Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems.
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Background: From FDD to TDD in the L-Band
Historically, under Resolution No. 454/2006, the L-band (1895–1900 MHz uplink / 1975–1980 MHz downlink) supported FDD systems. This changed with Resolution No. 757/2022, which restructured the band plan and reclassified the entire 1880–1920 MHz range for TDD-only use. While this reallocation excluded Band 2 (FDD) from new certifications, ANATEL allowed a transition period during which approvals were permitted up until June 1, 2026.
What Changed with Official Letter No. 246/2025?
The new letter ends the transition period early, with immediate effect. Following a spectrum analysis, ANATEL confirmed:
No base stations currently operate using Band 2 (FDD) in Brazil.
No new authorizations will be issued for FDD use in this band.
With no active or planned use cases, maintaining certification pathways for Band 2 (FDD) equipment is no longer justified.
Impact on Certification
This decision has direct consequences for equipment manufacturers and certification bodies:
New Applications: Designated Certification Bodies (OCDs) must not certify or list equipment for Band 2 (FDD) in the 1900 MHz range.
Certificate Renewals: Any existing certificates that include Band 2 (FDD) must be updated to remove that band.
Current Certification Scope: Only Band 39 (TDD) remains eligible for certification within the 1880–1920 MHz frequency range.
Regulatory Continuity
ANATEL reaffirmed that Resolution No. 773/2025 (which supersedes Resolution No. 757/2022) maintains the TDD-only designation for the 1880–1920 MHz band. With no licensed FDD operations in this spectrum, the agency concluded that continued certification support for FDD equipment serves no regulatory or operational purpose.
