President of the FPA met with the Minister of Communications to discuss connectivity in the field

The president of the Parliamentary Front for Agriculture (FPA), deputy Alceu Moreira (MDB-RS) was, on the night of Monday, June 22, with the Minister of Communications, Fábio Faria, to discuss connectivity in the countryside, new technologies, more productivity, sustainability and access for the rural population. According to Moreira, the demand is great and the minister will prioritize the matter.

According to Moreira, productivity in the field can increase considerably with the use of new technologies. “Agriculture in Brazil is already very productive, with the availability of connectivity and technology there will be an increase in production.” The agenda presented to the minister included four bills that deal with connectivity in the countryside, priorities for the FPA. There are three projects being processed in the Federal Senate and one in the Chamber of Deputies.

In the Senate's Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation, Communication and IT (CCT), bill 6549/2019, authored by deputy Vitor Lippi (PSDB-SP) and reported by senator Vanderlan Cardoso (PSD-GO) awaits analysis . The proposal makes the values ​​of the Installation Inspection Fee, the Operation Inspection Fee, the Contribution for the Promotion of Public Broadcasting and the Contribution for the Development of the National Cinematographic Industry (Condecine) of telecommunications stations that integrate systems equal to zero. machine-to-machine communication. The project also exempts telecommunications stations that integrate machine-to-machine communication systems from prior operating licenses.

Also awaiting analysis at the CCT and report from senator Chico Rodrigues (DEM-RR), bill 349/2018 removes taxes and fees on communications services between machines and proposes to reduce fees and contributions on small terminal stations for reception via satellite – VSAT.

These measures aim to stimulate the development of infrastructure and the widespread use of internet access in underserved areas. Moreira says that these devices cannot be subject to the same administrative bureaucracy and the same tax burden that affects other telecommunications service stations.

Already in the Senate Economic Affairs Committee (CAE), bill 172/20 awaits a report from senator Daniela Ribeiro (PP-PB). The PL provides for the purpose, allocation of resources, administration and objectives of the Telecommunications Services Universalization Fund (Fust). The proposal also provides for the administration of Fust by a Management Board.

Authored by deputy João Maia (PL-RN), bill 4566/19, attached to PL 8518/17, awaits rapporteur at the Science and Technology, Communication and IT Committee (CCTCI) of the Chamber of Deputies. The proposal aims to establish a “Fast Track” path to streamline the licensing processes for telecommunications antennas.

According to the author, the expansion of infrastructure and the necessary investments are hampered by excessive bureaucracy and slowness in the licensing process for this type of resource, creating legal uncertainty for new investments. To expand coverage and maintain the quality of the Personal Mobile Service, there is a need for continuous and rapid expansion of infrastructure, which requires the installation of new antennas, according to him.

In addition to the proposals awaiting analysis by the Commissions, there was also discussion about increasing the value of credit to finance connectivity projects in the countryside under the Inovagro line (BNDES). “The idea is to have financing to incorporate technological innovations in rural properties to increase productivity and improve management”, highlighted Moreira.