The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) is making strides toward establishing an institutional regulatory sandbox aimed at testing governance models for artificial intelligence within the telecommunications sector. This initiative was outlined by Anatel board member Alexandre Freire during a seminar on digital convergence held on February 10th, 2024. Freire emphasized the importance of a controlled environment where regulatory approaches could be tested in a safe and supervised manner, allowing the agency to assess AI governance models in real-world applications.
Purpose of the AI Regulatory Sandbox
Freire described the AI sandbox as a tool for Anatel to evaluate how various governance models can contribute to the transparency, accountability, and reliability of AI systems applied to the telecommunications sector. The goal is to ensure that AI technologies in telecommunications are effectively regulated while fostering innovation and adaptation to the fast-evolving tech landscape. Anatel’s AI governance approach focuses on continuous learning and dynamic adaptation to the unique challenges posed by these technologies.
Freire also mentioned the creation of AI.Lab, Anatel’s dedicated research and experimentation space, as a crucial element of this governance framework. AI.Lab provides an environment to explore the regulatory and institutional challenges of AI and has already fostered significant reflections on how to navigate this new technological frontier.
AI's Role in Telecommunications
One of the key AI tools currently used by Anatel is Regulatron, a system developed in-house that automates the collection, processing, and analysis of advertisements for non-certified telecommunications equipment on online platforms. Regulatron speeds up the identification of regulatory violations, offering insights into marketing patterns and distribution networks for unlicensed products. This tool exemplifies how AI is being leveraged to improve regulatory efficiency in Brazil.
The Importance of Regulatory Sandboxes
Freire highlighted the benefits of experimental regulatory environments, or regulatory sandboxes, in driving innovation and enhancing public policies. He stressed that these environments offer a controlled space for testing new solutions before they are widely implemented. This allows for the development of better policies and promotes digital transformation in the telecommunications sector.
Anatel’s sandbox initiatives have already been used to explore several innovative ideas, including:
- The use of mobile telephony signal repeaters by city halls to expand coverage.
- The provision of mobile telephony via satellite (Direct-to-Device – D2D).
- The use of restricted radiation radiocommunication equipment for security applications in closed environments.
Future Plans and Challenges
Looking ahead, Anatel has included the reassessment of telecommunications regulations in light of AI integration within the 2025-2026 Regulatory Agenda. A Public Consultation is scheduled for the first half of 2026, which will examine the broader application of AI in the telecommunications value chain. Freire concluded that for Brazil’s experimental regulatory model to be truly effective, it must take into account the existing inequalities and find ways to address them within the context of these innovative technological initiatives.
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Quick Country Facts
Brazil
Certification Body: Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (ANATEL)
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: 24/ 36 months
Application Language: Portuguese
Legal License Holder: Available with Access Manager
In-Country Testing Requirement: Available with Access Manager
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