USTDA’s partnership and support of Brazil’s National Broadband Network Plan helped connect U.S. companies to projects that are transforming communications networks across the Americas using U.S.-sourced technology and expertise.
To achieve this success, USTDA hosted a reverse trade mission to the United States for Brazilian public and private sector representatives from the IT sector who were responsible for expanding internet access to remote areas across the country. The planned investments were designed to increase broadband connectivity and close the digital divide. The trade mission was particularly successful in developing new relationships and strengthening ongoing partnerships with U.S. companies interested in increasing exports into the Brazilian market. In fact, following the visit, 16 U.S. companies from seven states won contracts for hardware, software and online services that are now significantly improving internet access and capacity across Brazil.
The visit also directly supported the transformative investment by Brazil in the 6,500 mile-long Seabras-1 submarine cable – the only direct point-to-point system linking São Paulo to New York City.
After meeting with Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency, Boston-based Seaborn Networks – a small business developer of submarine fiber optic cable systems – conducted several business-development trips to Brazil, gained credibility and secured approval for its Seabras-1 project. This led to significant exports for U.S. firms, including two small businesses that offer world-class solutions for subsea cable systems and landing stations.
Seabras-1 went into operation in September 2017. The system is operated by Seaborn Networks and owned jointly by Seaborn Networks and Partners Group, a global private markets investment manager. The $520 million subsea cable system is optimized to process large volumes of data with minimal delay, offering reliability, competitive costs and fast connectivity between Brazil and the rest of the world.
“Seaborn’s Seabras-1 network provides the fastest and most direct route for global communications between the financial centers of Brazil and the U.S.,” said Larry Schwartz, Chairman & CEO of Seaborn Networks. “As such, this has become a critical route for global communications to and from South America.”
USTDA Acting Director Thomas Hardy concludes: “This is more than a success story – it’s a validation of USTDA’s detailed and innovative approach, bringing together dynamic partnerships, technical expertise and cutting-edge innovations that are changing the world every day.”
April 27, 2020
*Image courtesy of Seaborn Networks