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Electricity, Phone, Internet, TV, Radio, Public Transportation, Banking, Postal and Other Services in Brazil

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If you plan to make your way to Brazil in the near future, either to pursue an educational or employment opportunity or to relocate to the country permanently, there are many things you will need to do upon your arrival.  And to accomplish these tasks, you will definitely need to become familiar with the variety of local services available in the country.  To help you adjust more rapidly to your new surroundings in Brazil, below we will describe in detail some of the basic local services available in the country—services across a wide range of industry sectors.  These include banking services; local and long-range transportation; mail and postal services, including regular mail procedures and shipping; television and Internet providers, both cable and satellite, dial-up and broadband; and landline and mobile telephone services.

 

 

Banking Services in Brazil

Like in most major countries around the world, the banking system in Brazil offers a wide range of financial services, serving both companies and individuals.  Banking rules in the country are strictly enforced, and all banking business is monitored closely by the banks themselves as well as by the Central Bank of Brazil, known locally as the Banco Central do Brasil.

 

Most of the major retail banks in Brazil have scores of branches to serve their customers, especially in the larger cities, such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. Most all branches now have one or more indoor or outdoor Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), where customers can withdraw money, deposit funds, transfer money and check their balances without having to wait in long lines inside the bank.  In addition to ATM service, most banks offer a number of services via the Internet as well.

Brazilian banks offer:

 

  • Current accounts
  • Savings and investment accounts
  • Credit and debit card services
  • Personal loans and overdrafts
Larger banks even offer foreign exchange services, where expats and travelers can exchange their currency for Brazilian money.  The currency now used in Brazil is called the “real,” which is subdivided into 100 centavos (hundredths).  The sign for the Brazilian currency is R$, while the international or ISO code is BRL.

 

Local banks are known to help customers through “standing orders,” and accept payment of utility bills; state, local, and federal taxes. They also accept installment payment books, known as “carnê.”  Installment books are issued in stores in the event an individual doesn't have a credit card and wishes to pay in several installments. The installments are payable either in the store itself or through the banking system.

Some of the largest banks in Brazil include:

Private Banks:

 

  • Banco Itaú
  • Bradesco
  • Santander
The two largest state-owned banks in Brazil are:

 

 

  • Banco do Brasil
  • Caixa
When choosing a Brazilian bank with which to do business, new customers should take a variety of factors into consideration, not the least of which includes:

 

 

  • The Bank’s Location.  The location of the bank is an important consideration.  Naturally, your first tendency is to choose the closest bank, but this might not be the best move depending on the types of services they offer.  Banks with many branches throughout the country, such as Caixa, Banco do Brasil, Bradesco and Santander, tend to offer more services than many of the smaller local banks, often at a much lower cost.  Therefore when choosing a bank, make sure you do a little research to discover the services they offer and make your decision based on the type and quality of services that are most important to you (ATM service, Internet banking, etc.).
  • Branches and ATM Distribution?  The larger banks in Brazil offer hundreds of branches to serve the country’s large population and geographic immensity.  As a customer, that usually means you can conduct your business at any of these branches, regardless of where you happen to open your account—a definite plus if you plan to travel throughout Brazil during your stay.  More branches usually mean a greater proportion of ATM machines throughout the country as well, allowing you to access your money on the go without having to pay additional fees.  Keep in mind that ATM machines not affiliated with your particular banking institution can charge up to 5 real per transaction, and you may be penalized even further by your home branch for using a non-network ATM.
  • Online banking.  Although fairly new to the banking world, Internet banking has revolutionized the way in which most Brazilians, especially the younger set, monitor and manage their accounts.  With Internet banking you can easily check your balance, transfer money between accounts, and pay all of your bills without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.
  • Price.  As a banking customer, it is crucial you read the fine print with regard to prices and fees before opening any type of account.  Some banks charge a “monthly service” charge to customers with checking accounts, particularly those customers whose balance does not meet a certain minimum balance requirement.  Charges can also apply to the use of ATMs, particularly non-network machines, and the use of credit and debit cards.  “Insufficient funds” and “returned item” are another two categories in which the cost of a checking account can quickly add up if you neglect to monitor and balance your accounts.

Transportation Services in Brazil

Brazilian AirlinesDating back to colonial history, transportation in Brazil has always posed a significant challenge.  This can largely be attributed to the country’s massive size (Brazil occupies nearly half of the South American continent) and diverse topography.  Fortunately, in the last few decades the country has been able to tackle this challenge head on, implementing systematic approach that has now effectively created a national system of integrated surface transport on road, rail and water.

 

Highways in Brazil

Since the middle of the 1970s, the government of Brazil has given funding priority to roads and highways, which transport roughly 85 percent of the country’s population and goods.  The Brazilian highways of today are now very modern in relation to the South American region, with paved roads linking practically all the state capitals.  Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as other major cities, even have contemporary metropolitan expressways. The collective total of paved roads and highways in Brazil is roughly 1.5 million kilometers (1.1 million miles), reflecting an increase of more than 300 percent in just the last two decades alone.

Railways in Brazil

The railway network in Brazil is relatively small in comparison to the network of highways, with a total of approximately 30,000 kilometers of track.  However, some special projects have been implemented, such as the Steel Railway (Ferrovia do Aço), to connect the inland iron ore mining areas to the steel mills and port facilities on the southeastern coast.

Several major cities in Brazil offer metro service both within the city and to other destinations in nearby municipalities.  The cities in which you’ll find a metro or subway system include:

 

  • Belo Horizonte
  • Brasilia
  • Fortaleza
  • Porto Alegre
  • Recife
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • São Paulo
  • Salvador (under construction)
  • Teresina
Passengers wishing to travel to other countries adjacent to Brazil can take advantage of international rail links, with service between Brazil and Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay.

 

Although Brazil was once home to a large network of tramway systems, many of those have disappeared with the more efficient and convenient metro systems taking their place.  Currently, there are vintage tramways operating in the cities of Belem, Campinas, Campos de Jordao, Itatinga, Rio de Janeiro and Santos.

A high-speed rail connecting Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the two largest cities in Brazil, is currently under construction.  Unfortunately, the high-speed line is not expected to be completed in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but it should be up and running by 2016, when the Summer Olympics are scheduled to be hosted in Rio de Janeiro.

River and Sea Transport

Brazil’s enormous coastline and the vast waterways of the hinterland offer great potential for the use of economic waterborne transport, but while Brazil transports more than 350 million tons of goods each year by water, this mode of transport has not been completely exploited due to the upfront investments required and especially because of its low speed.  Although the merchant marine has increased in the last 30 years, its long-range capabilities are still not in proportion to the volume and growth rate of Brazil’s overseas trade.

 

Imbituba PortBrazil has approximately 50,000 kilometers of navigable waterways in the country, with ports on the Atlantic coastline, the Amazon River and Paraguay River.  The seacoast ports are located in Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Paranaguá, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos, São Francisco do Sul, São Sebastião, ES, Itajaí  and Natal.

Ports along the Amazon River include Belem and Manaus, while the city of Corumba serves as a port on the Paraguay River—an international waterway.

 

Of the roughly 18 fully-equipped ports located in Brazil, those at Santos, Rio de Janeiro, and Porto Alegre are the busiest. 

The merchant marine of Brazil has roughly 136 ships in operation, including  bulk carriers (19), cargo ships (22), carrier ships (1), roll-on/roll-off (7) chemical tankers (7), container ships (11), gas-carrying tankers (12), multi-functional large load carriers (1), petroleum tankers (45) and passenger/cargo ships (12).

Two waterways are helping to improve river transport inside the heart of Brazil and with its south and southwest neighboring countries: The "Paraná-Paraguay" and the "Tieté-Paraná" waterways, the latter also known as the "Mercosur Waterway.”

Air Transport

Beginning in the 1930s, Brazil’s geographic size and the push for fast economic growth led to the establishment of a vast network of air services.  These routes—and the many more that have been developed since—are operated by a number of commercial airlines, both at the commuter, or feeder level; and at the medium to long-range level, increasingly utilizing Brazilian-designed and built planes.

Today there are 10 international airports in Brazil, fully operational and offering high standards of comfort and efficiency. Besides offering direct air connections to all other South American countries, the airlines also offer service to several countries in South America; Mexico, the United States and Canada.  Brazil is linked by air routes to every continent.  All airlines registered in Brazil are private enterprises, some of them allowing foreign equity (stock) participation.

Some of the popular national air carriers in Brazil include:

 

  • Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras
  • Gol Transportes Aéreos
  • Avianca
  • TAM Airlines (TAM Linhas Aéreas)
Most international flights coming into Brazil land at either Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo or Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro.  Belo Horizonte Airport is the main international airport outside of the Rio and Sao Paulo area, while still some other flights go to Brasilia, Recife, Natal and Fortaleza, which just recently began to accept international flights.  With the integration of South America, more airports can be expected to open to international flights in the coming decade.

 

 

Postal Services in Brazi

Mail and Shipping Services

 

Brazilian mail boxThe Brazilian Post and Telegraph Company—known as the post office—is a federal public company responsible for the shipping and mail delivery system in Brazil.  Known as Correios, the postal service is responsible for both the domestic and international delivery of mail and goods.

Correios offer a number of different options and delivery times.  Regular and priority mail letters can be sent using postage-paid envelopes, stamps, or franking machines located within the various Post Offices. 

Domestic postage-paid envelopes are available for all of the following:

 

  • Regular mail (Correio normal)
  • Express mail (SEDEX10)
  • Same day national mail (SEDEX HOJE)
Domestic delivery of regular mail, or Correios normal, is estimated at between one to three days.  For faster times, customers use the Post Office’s service known as SEDEX, which offers a number of convenient options for mail and package delivery.

 

 

  • SEDEX 10.  SEDEX 10 is an Express Service for documents and parcels with guaranteed registered delivery up to 10:00 in the morning on the day following the date of posting—available Monday through Saturday.
  • SEDEX HOJE.  SEDEX HOJE offers same-day recorded delivery service of documents and parcels to some Brazilian cities only.  Parcels can be declared up to a value of R$10,000 and can be tracked online.
  • SEDEX MUNDI.  SEDEX MUNDI is the international registered mail service, delivering mail around the world.  Average delivery time to Europe, for example, is from four to six days.
The following weight and size limits for each delivery category must be adhered to by customers when sending mail or packages through Correios:

 

Regular mail and SEDEX 10

 

  • Box or Parcel: Length,  width and thickness must not exceed 1,500mm
  • Roll or Prism: Diameter no greater than 104cm
  • Envelope: 11cm x 16cm minimum, maximum dimension no more than 60cm
SEDEX HOJE:

 

The maximum weight limit for SEDEX HOJE is 10 Kg and dimensions must not exceed:

 

  • Parcel: Minimum 9cm x 14cm, maximum length, width and thickness 150 cm
  • Envelope: Minimum 11.4cm x 1.62cm
SEDEX MUNDI:

 

The maximum weight limit for SEDEX MUNDI is 5 Kg and must not exceed:

 

  • Parcel: One side no more than 105 cm, sum of all sides no more than 150 cm
  • Envelope: Medium 250mm x 353mm (A4 format), large: 390mm x 460mm (A3 format)
Other Postal Services Available

 

Several other postal services are also offered through Correios, Brazil’s federal post office and mail delivery company.  They include:

 

  • Postal Boxes (Caixa Postal). Postal boxes can be purchased from the Post Office for three, six or twelve months.
  • Easy Export/Import (Exporta/Importa Fácil)Easy Export/Import is a post service available for businesses and individuals who wish to export/import products internationally without doing all the related paperwork. Correios will register the exportation/importation of the product with the appropriate Brazilian Federal agencies.
  • SEDEX a Cobrar. SEDEX a Cobrar is a guaranteed delivery service, in which the sender must declare the value of the goods. In the case of non-delivery, the Post Service reimburses the sender. The cost of the insurance is one percent of the value of the merchandise. There is a 30 Kg weight limit with this service.
  • Telegrams.  Telegrams can be electronically sent both within the country and internationally via the Internet, by telephone or in one of Brazil’s post offices.
Sending Mail In Brazil

 

 

The standard envelope size in Brazil is rectangular and should not exceed 5 millimeters in thickness.  It should be sealed without the use of any clips, or staples.  It is recommended that you address your letters and parcels using either blue or black ink and in capital letters.  The information you will need to include on the front-center of the letter/parcel is the name of the individual/company to whom you are sending mail; the name and number of the road (and any further information, such as unit #); the name of the district (Bairro); the city or region name and Brazilian Federal union sign; and the post code.

 

It is further recommended that you write your own address on the back-center of the envelope or parcel. The stamp is placed in the front top right hand corner.

 

Television, Internet and Telephone Services

Television Services

 

According to federal law, cable and satellite television services in Brazil were permitted to start in 1995.  Today Brazil has one of the lowest percentages of households with access to cable/satellite technology—a result of high prices charges by providers and the reduced purchasing power of most Brazilians.  As of last year, cable or paid television was available to just over 10 million households (representing around 30 million viewers), meaning that less than 20 percent of the population has access.  Most cable television consumers are from the upper class (70 percent), while Brazil’s lower class, which makes up at around 50 percent of the population, accounts for only 1 percent of cable access/usage.

Brazil is currently in the process of switching from the old analog signal to digital cable/satellite, a process that started in the country’s major cities, including Rio de Janeiro Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte.  The analog television is set to be completely shut down by the time the 2016 Summer Olympics come to Rio de Janeiro, but that process can be delayed if need be.

The major cable and satellite television providers in Brazil are:

 

  • Claro TV
  • GVT TV
  • Net Serviços de Comunicação
  • Oi TV
  • SKY Brasil
  • Vivo TV
The most popular television networks in Brazil include Rede Globo, Rede Record, SBT, BAND, RedeTV, TV Cultura, Rede Gazeta, MTV Brasil, and RECORD news.  Most of these channels, as you might guess, appear on “free television” in Brazil.

 

 

Internet Services

By law, telecommunication companies in Brazil are prohibited from operating in the internet access business.  Telemar, for example, the largest phone company in Brazil, can sell broadband access, but the customer must also contract with an Internet provider.  Among the many companies offering Internet service in Brazil, some of the bigger names include:

 

  • UOL.  Universo On Line, or UOL, is probably the largest portal for Portuguese-language Internet services.  Subscribers to UOL have access to most Brazilian magazines on-line, in addition to their general access.
  • AOL.  The Brazilian branch of America On Line is massively marketed in Brazil, but still lags behind its competitor UOL significantly.
  • TerraTerra is a major Internet service provider, but the company was accused of unfair practices recently because it belongs to the same group which owns Telefonica, a major Spanish-owned telephone company based in Sao Paulo.
The competition between Internet service providers is ferocious, which has thus far managed to keep the price for Internet access fairly low.  UOL, for example, only charges about R$30 per month for unlimited dial-up connection and full access to content—a price that is fairly consistent among the other “dial-up” competition.  Broadband access is typically much more expensive, averaging about R$80 per month for unlimited access.  This is the price charged by one of the bigger names in broad band internet—Velox—a price which includes the monthly rental for the modem.

 

Telephone Services in Brazil

Up until 1998, trying to get phone service in Brazil was an utter nightmare of an experience.  This all changed when the 1997 Telecommunications Act was implemented, effectively taking phone service out of the private realm and into private hands.

Today, all the telecommunication companies operating in Brazil are private, and the Ministry of Communications is responsible for regulatory functions only.  After the privatization in 1998, the country of Brazil was divided into geographic regions, and each region had one local operator, with the company Embratel serving as the only long distance carrier for the country.  Today there are least two operators in every state. 

Some of the larger (landline) telephone companies in Brazil include:

 

  • Embratel.  Long distance and international calling.
  • Intelig.  Long distance and international calling
  • Telefonica.  A subsidiary of the Spanish holding Telefonica, this company was originally authorized to operate within the state of Sao Paulo only.  Today it handles local and long distance calling, as well as international calling.
  • Brasil TelecomBrasil Telecom is a local provider in many of the sates in northern, southern and west-central Brazil.
  • Telemar.  One of the largest and most successful Brazilian corporations, Telemar now operates in Northeast and Southeast Brazil.  It also handles long distance and international calling.
For the chartering of mobile phone services, the country was also divided into geographic regions, and the spectrum of frequencies was divided in several bands.  Each state in Brazil now has at least two mobile phone operators in every state, with some states having as many as four.  The most notable mobile phone providers in the state include:

 

 

  • Vivo.  Owned by Telefonica, Vivo is one of the more popular cellular communication companies, holding approximately a 30 percent share of the market.
  • Claro.  Claro is also very popular in Brazil.  It is owned by the company América Móvil.
  • TIM.  Together with Vivo and Claro, TIM, owned by Telecom Italia, rounds out the “big three” of Brazil’s mobile phone operators, with a 25 percent market share.