IoT connectivity in Brazil
Updated
In Brazil, permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is not allowed. Of the 3 mobile operators we track there, 0 have switched off 2G and 0 3G; the status of 4 networks is still unclear, as of 26 October 2026. Sources are listed below each table.
Permanent roaming
Not allowed. Anatel has held since 2012 that roaming in Brazil may only be temporary, and in August 2026 its Board gave itself 90 days to decide specific permanent-roaming rules for IoT/M2M, so foreign IoT SIMs used permanently remain non-compliant pending that decision.
Sources: teletime.com.br, teletime.com.br, teletime.com.br. Confidence: medium.
2G and 3G shutdowns by operator
| Operator | Network | Status | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claro Brasil | 2G | Unclear | none | wirelesslogic.com, teletime.com.br Conflict: Wireless Logic tracker says Claro Brazil's 2G closed in 2023, but no operator or news confirmation found; in Dec 2024 the industry body Gristec was still asking operators for a clear shutdown schedule (estimate: full 2G/3G shutdown by 2028). |
| Claro Brasil | 3G | Unclear | none | dplnews.com, teletime.com.br DPL News lists Claro Brazil 3G shutdown with no date; no published operator schedule found; industry estimate of 2028 for full 2G/3G shutdown. Kore (May 2026) lists 31 Dec 2025, not confirmed elsewhere. |
| TIM Brasil | 2G | Unclear | none | telesintese.com.br, teletime.com.br TIM ran a 2G switch-off pilot in 50 cities in 2021 (shared network with Vivo), larger cities excluded; no national end date found; industry estimate 2028. |
| TIM Brasil | 3G | Unclear | none | dplnews.com, teletime.com.br DPL News lists TIM 3G shutdown with no date; no published operator schedule found. |
| Vivo | 2G | No plan announced | none | telesintese.com.br, telesintese.com.br Vivo wants 2G switched off as soon as possible and plans a gradual 2G/3G/4G phase-out via RAN sharing with TIM, but has set no schedule. Anatel expects a gradual shutdown and stopped certifying 2G/3G-only devices from April 2025; no network shutdown date. |
| Vivo | 3G | No plan announced | none | telesintese.com.br, dplnews.com No schedule set for 3G (Tele.Sintese, Jul 2026); DPL News lists Vivo 3G shutdown as no date. Industry estimates point to completion around 2028. |
What it means for IoT devices in Brazil
- 2G still runs on some networks, but plan new devices on 4G-based technologies (LTE Cat-1bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where available): 2G is being closed across the region.
- Plan a local profile: foreign SIMs cannot stay indefinitely. An eSIM able to download a local profile, or a local SIM, avoids being cut off.
- Private delivery works the same from Brazil: device data reaches your cloud over private links. See private delivery.
Other countries in Latin America
Full tables: permanent roaming rules by country and 2G and 3G shutdown dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is permanent roaming allowed for IoT SIMs in Brazil?
Anatel has held since 2012 that roaming in Brazil may only be temporary, and in August 2026 its Board gave itself 90 days to decide specific permanent-roaming rules for IoT/M2M, so foreign IoT SIMs used permanently remain non-compliant pending that decision.
When is 2G switched off in Brazil?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. Vivo: no shutdown plan announced.
When is 3G switched off in Brazil?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. Vivo: no shutdown plan announced.