Anatel warns Brazil's Supreme Court of election internet risks

Anatel, Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency, has warned Supreme Federal Court Minister Cristiano Zanin that unrestricted free mobile internet access during elections could cause network congestion and connectivity failures. The warning specifically highlights the risk of service interruptions near polling stations due to sudden traffic spikes.

The alert follows a request by the National Confederation of Education Workers (CNTE) and the Green Party (PV) to provide free mobile data nationwide for 72 hours before and 24 hours after each voting round. The petitioners argue that current prepaid data limits create information inequality for lower-income citizens, as reduced speeds after data caps can prevent users from verifying news and may facilitate the spread of disinformation.

Anatel contested these arguments, stating that combating fake news involves social and regulatory challenges rather than connectivity issues. The agency noted that a 2025 study showed 70% of prepaid users rely on fixed Wi-Fi to preserve mobile data. Furthermore, Anatel emphasized that while fixed connections can expand capacity, mobile networks are constrained by a limited electromagnetic spectrum, making them vulnerable to the massive surges in downloads and streaming that unrestricted access might trigger.