Brazil Regulator Approves Oi Fixed-Line Sale With Conditions
BRAZIL · TELECOMS
Key Facts
—What happened: Brazil’s telecom regulator Anatel approved the sale of Oi’s fixed-line business to Método.
—How big it is: The deal is worth R$60.1 million (US$11.8 million), bid as a single upfront payment.
—What it means: Oi’s fixed-line customers will eventually be served by Método, but only after conditions are met.
—The catch: Oi remains responsible for fixed-line service until all conditions are fulfilled, which may take months.
—Who it hits: Fixed-line customers in remote towns where Oi is the only operator.
—What comes next: Método must present guarantees and plans to Anatel before the transfer is finalized.
Anatel’s conditional approval moves Oi’s fixed-line sale forward, but the bankrupt carrier remains responsible until all conditions are met.
What Anatel approved
On 3 September 2026, Anatel’s board gave prior consent for Método to take control of Oi’s fixed-line unit. The approval is conditional, meaning Método must meet several requirements before the deal is final.
Anatel is Brazil’s telecommunications regulator. It does the job America’s Federal Communications Commission does.
Who is Oi and how did it get here
Oi was once Brazil’s largest fixed-line telephone company, serving millions of customers across the country. But years of heavy debt and competition led to financial collapse.
In 2023 Oi filed for court protection from creditors for the second time. In August 2026 a Rio court ended that process and declared the company bankrupt.
The fixed-line unit was sold through a judicial auction. That is a court-supervised process.
Who is Método
Método Telecomunicações e Comércio Ltda. is a telecom company based in Minas Gerais, a state in southeastern Brazil. It won the auction for Oi’s fixed-line unit with a bid of R$60.1 million (US$11.8 million).
Método beat another company, Sercomtel, to win the auction.
The conditions Anatel imposed
Anatel’s approval comes with several conditions. Método must formally take over Oi’s regulatory commitments.
Those are the obligations Oi had to provide service in certain areas. Método must also sign an addendum to an existing agreement with Anatel.
It must present a guarantee to ensure service continuity. It must also submit a plan for transferring phone numbers.
These conditions are designed to protect customers. They are there to keep essential services running.
One approval is still outstanding. Cade, Brazil’s competition regulator, has not yet cleared the deal.
Método itself named Cade clearance as a suspensive condition in July. Until it comes, the sale is not final.
Why service continuity matters
In many remote areas of Brazil, Oi is the only fixed-line operator. This is known as being the Carrier of Last Resort.
That means Oi is required to provide service even where it is not profitable. Anatel’s conditions require that voice service in these areas continues through December 2028.
That matters for people who rely on a landline to call for help.
What happens to customers now
For now, Oi’s fixed-line customers continue to be served by Oi. Anatel has made clear that Oi remains responsible for the service until the transfer is fully completed.
That means customers should not see any immediate change. Over time, as Método meets all conditions, customers will gradually migrate to Método’s control.
But there is no set date for that yet.
The cost of keeping services running
Anatel’s technical analysis estimates that keeping the fixed-line services running through the end of 2028 will cost around R$160 million (US$31.3 million). That is more than double the sale price.
This highlights the financial burden of operating a fixed-line network, especially in rural areas. Método must post guarantees covering that cost.
It is the hardest condition to meet.
What this means for Oi’s bankruptcy
The sale of the fixed-line unit is part of Oi’s bankruptcy proceedings. The court approved the sale in April 2026.
Anatel’s approval is another step in the process. However, Anatel’s decision does not change that.
Oi was declared bankrupt in August and a court-appointed administrator is now selling what is left.
The company still has other assets to sell and debts to pay. The exact impact on Oi’s overall restructuring is not yet clear.
What comes next
Método must now present the required guarantees and plans to Anatel. The regulator will review them and decide whether to give final approval.
The process could take months. Until then, Oi remains the legal operator.
Customers should continue to receive service as usual. The date to watch is December 2028.
Anatel’s conditions run to then, and it has not said what follows.
How the auction process worked
The fixed-line unit was sold through a judicial auction in April 2026. A court in Rio de Janeiro supervised the process to ensure fair bidding.
Método’s bid of R$60.1 million (US$11.8 million) was the highest. The court approved the sale, but regulatory approval was still needed from Anatel.
What is a UPI in bankruptcy sales
In Brazilian bankruptcy law, a UPI is an isolated productive unit that can be sold separately. This allows a company to sell parts of its business without halting operations.
Oi’s fixed-line unit was structured as a UPI. This made it easier to sell while keeping services running for customers.
The role of the bankruptcy court
The 7th Business Court in Rio de Janeiro is overseeing Oi’s bankruptcy. It approved the sale and has also ordered Método to pay the auction price promptly.
In July 2026 the court ordered Método to pay R$60.1 million (US$11.8 million) within five days. A 50% penalty applies if it did not.
Método has disputed parts of the payment terms.
Background on Brazil’s telecom market
Brazil’s fixed-line market has been shrinking for years as mobile phones replaced landlines. Many operators have struggled to make money from fixed-line services.
Oi’s network covers vast rural areas where mobile coverage is thin. This makes the fixed-line sale a delicate balance between business and public service.
Why regulators care about ownership changes
Anatel’s job is to make sure telecom services work for everyone, not just for shareholders. When a company changes hands, the regulator checks that new owners can meet obligations.
Anatel’s release says the conditions exist to protect the public interest and vulnerable users. This is why Anatel imposed conditions on the Oi fixed-line sale.
What the numbers do and do not show
The sale price of R$60.1 million (US$11.8 million) seems low for a national network. But the cost of keeping it running is R$160 million (US$31.3 million) through 2028.
That gap shows why Oi struggled financially. It also explains why Anatel demands guarantees from Método before allowing the transfer.
How customers might be affected in practice
Most fixed-line customers will not notice any change for a while. Oi will keep billing and maintaining the network until the transfer is complete.
If Método meets all conditions, customers will eventually get new bills from Método. Phone numbers should stay the same, but billing and customer service may change.
The bigger picture of Oi’s restructuring
Oi’s bankruptcy is one of the largest in Brazil’s history. The company has been selling assets to pay creditors and reduce debt.
Oi sold its mobile arm to Claro, TIM and Vivo in 2022. What remains is mostly fiber and property.
The fixed-line sale is just one piece of that plan. Other parts of Oi’s business may also be sold in the future.
What is still uncertain
It is not clear how long the final approval will take. Método must present guarantees and plans, and Anatel will review them.
The court and Anatel may also disagree on details. Any dispute could delay the transfer further, leaving customers in limbo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my fixed-line service be interrupted during the transition?
No, Anatel has required that service continuity be maintained. Oi remains responsible until the transfer is complete, and Método must provide guarantees to keep services running.
Who is Método Telecom?
Método is a telecom company based in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It won the auction for Oi’s fixed-line unit with a bid of R$60.1 million (US$11.8 million).
Why did Anatel approve the sale with conditions?
Anatel wants to ensure that customers, especially in remote areas, continue to receive service. The conditions require Método to assume Oi’s obligations and provide guarantees.
When will the sale be finalized?
There is no set date. Método must meet all conditions, including presenting guarantees and plans, before Anatel gives final approval.
What happens after December 2028?
Anatel’s current conditions run to December 2028. The regulator has not said what happens after that.
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