Cooperative Telecom: A New Step towards Digital Inclusion in Brazil

The Brazilian economic landscape is evolving with new opportunities, particularly within the telecommunications sector. Since January of this year, cooperatives have been authorized to operate in this field, marking a significant opening that promises to drive large-scale digital inclusion. Intercooperation, an approach aimed at strengthening ties between different market sectors, now has room for expansion through innovative partnership and commercial strategies. Recent data shows that cooperatives already connect over 74,000 Brazilians with telecommunication services using diverse legal structures. The Coprel Telecom subsidiary in Rio Grande do Sul is a prime example highlighting the feasibility of this approach. With presence in 91 municipalities and more than 85,000 clients, this operation has benefited rural and urban communities by accessing resources from the Fundo de Universalização dos Serviços de Telecomunicações (Fust) for digital inclusion projects in schools and healthcare units. The new legislation, as outlined in Law 15.324/2026, opens the door for cooperatives to directly access incentives previously restricted to private companies, allowing for a broader reach of digital operations. This measure is part of a global trend towards digital inclusion, where both government and private initiatives work together to expand technology access. The Brazilian telecommunications sector faces significant challenges, but intercooperation can be a crucial catalyst in this process. Coprel Telecom plans to hold a general assembly with its members by the end of this month to discuss potential changes brought about by the law, while Coopercompany in Santa Catarina operates as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), intermediating services between different sectors. To meet growing demand, Coopercompany aims to reach 50,000 active mobile lines by year's end, a significant indicator of market expansion. This movement promises not only to expand internet and telephony access in Brazil but also to reinforce the importance of cooperatives as efficient and inclusive economic agents.