Brazil sees 81% surge in 4G/5G rural coverage as private networks wrestle with global patent ties

Coverage of 4G and 5G mobile networks in Brazil’s agricultural areas rose from 18.7% to 33.9% between 2024 and 2025, an 81% increase reported by the ConectarAGRO Rural Connectivity Index. The expansion is fueling digitalisation across agribusiness, transport, energy and utilities, with fleets and field equipment generating large volumes of real‑time data that demand robust, low‑latency connectivity.

At the same time, private‑network deployments that rely on 4G LTE and 5G for high performance are increasingly constrained by essential‑patent (SEP) portfolios owned by companies such as Qualcomm, Ericsson, Nokia and Huawei. Operators must negotiate FRAND‑licensed access to these patents, a paradox that limits local control despite the networks’ dedicated nature. In Brazil, the issue surfaced during the 2023 Carnival broadcasts, where Globo used Ericsson‑based 5G gear on Claro’s spectrum to stream live video.

Regulatory bodies – the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) – are coordinating to balance innovation incentives with the need for affordable technology access across sectors ranging from mining to logistics and large‑scale events.