Embratel

Embratel is a Brazilian telecommunications brand whose origins lie in the creation of a national long-distance communications operator in 1965. It operated for decades as the long-distance arm of Telebras, Brazil's state telecommunications system, helping connect geographically dispersed parts of the country through voice, data, microwave, satellite, and later fiber-optic infrastructure. Its development was closely associated with the modernization and national integration of Brazilian telecommunications. The company became one of the most important providers of intercity and international communications in Brazil. Its infrastructure included a digitized microwave network, fiber-optic systems, domestic communications satellites, and participation in international subsea cable and satellite organizations. Embratel was also associated with Transdata, described in reference material as South America's first telecommunications system, and with subsea cable systems including UNISUR, Americas II, Atlantis-2, and Columbus III. These assets supported voice traffic, internet connectivity, corporate networking, broadcasting, and other communications services. Embratel changed ownership during the break-up and privatization of Telebras in 1998. It was acquired by MCI Communications in a transaction reported at 2.65 billion Brazilian reais. MCI later entered bankruptcy proceedings, and ownership subsequently passed to América Móvil in 2003. Under América Móvil, Embratel continued as a Brazilian telecommunications business, with a strong emphasis on corporate, government, wholesale, network, satellite, and data communications rather than only consumer telephony. The brand has also participated in pay television. In 2008, it launched Via Embratel, a Ku-band direct-to-home subscription television service using the Star One C2 satellite. The service was later rebranded as Claro TV+ DTH, reflecting the integration of América Móvil's Brazilian consumer communications portfolio under the Claro brand. Embratel remains associated with enterprise connectivity and communications infrastructure in Brazil, while Star One provides the related satellite platform and capabilities within the broader group structure. Embratel's historical importance is therefore broader than a conventional fixed-line operator. It has served as a national communications backbone, a long-distance carrier, a satellite and cable-network operator, an enterprise-services provider, and a platform for television distribution. Its present identity is shaped by its position within América Móvil and by the increasing convergence of fixed connectivity, data transport, cloud-adjacent networking, satellite services, and managed communications.

Embratel was founded in 1965 as Brazil's national long-distance telecommunications company and operated within the Telebras system. Its role was to provide long-distance and international communications across a country with substantial geographic distances and unevenly developed local infrastructure. The company became a central component of Brazil's telecommunications network, carrying voice and data traffic and building systems that connected cities, regions, businesses, public institutions, and international gateways. Over time, Embratel developed a broad communications infrastructure base. Its assets and activities included a fully digitized microwave network, fiber-optic networks, domestic communications satellites, and participation in international satellite organizations such as Intelsat and Inmarsat. Reference material also associates the company with four submarine fiber-optic cable systems: UNISUR, Americas II, Atlantis-2, and Columbus III. Embratel was additionally connected with Transdata, identified in the reference material as South America's first telecommunications system. These capabilities allowed it to operate across voice, data transport, satellite communications, broadcasting, and wholesale connectivity. A major turning point came in 1998, when Brazil dismantled and privatized the Telebras structure. Embratel was sold to MCI Communications in a transaction reported at 2.65 billion Brazilian reais. The acquisition moved the company from state ownership into international private ownership and made it part of MCI's global telecommunications ambitions. MCI Communications later went bankrupt in 2003. Following that failure, Embratel became part of América Móvil, the Mexican telecommunications group that has remained its owner. Under América Móvil, Embratel continued to operate in Brazil as a major voice and data communications provider, with particular importance in enterprise, government, wholesale, infrastructure, satellite, and managed communications services. Its historical long-distance role was supplemented by the growth of digital networks, fiber connectivity, and corporate data solutions. The company also expanded into consumer television distribution. In 2008, it launched Via Embratel, a subscription direct-to-home service delivered through the Ku band using the Star One C2 satellite. The service was later rebranded as Claro TV+ DTH as América Móvil consolidated Brazilian consumer offerings under Claro. Embratel has also used public-facing sponsorship to support its brand. In 2013, it began sponsoring Brazilian tennis player Thomaz Bellucci. Although such activity was separate from its infrastructure operations, it helped present Embratel as a nationally oriented Brazilian communications brand. The company has also retained a presence in Brazilian telecommunications history and civic symbolism: reference material notes that some of its equipment is represented on the coat of arms of Tanguá, Brazil. Today, Embratel is best understood as an active Brazilian telecommunications brand within América Móvil rather than as an independent listed company. Its legacy encompasses national long-distance communications, fixed and fiber networks, satellite capacity, international cable connectivity, enterprise data services, and television distribution. Its corporate identity is closely linked to the Claro and Star One ecosystem, while the Embratel name remains associated with business and infrastructure-oriented communications in Brazil.

1. 2013Thomaz Bellucci sponsorship begins

   Embratel begins sponsoring Brazilian tennis player Thomaz Bellucci.

   Source
2. 2008Via Embratel launches

   Embratel launches a Ku-band direct-to-home subscription television service using the Star One C2 satellite.

   Source
3. 2003Ownership moves to América Móvil

   After MCI Communications goes bankrupt, Embratel becomes owned by América Móvil.

   Source
4. 1998Telebras privatization and MCI acquisition

   Embratel is sold during the break-up of Telebras and acquired by MCI Communications in a transaction reported at 2.65 billion Brazilian reais.

   Source
5. 1965Embratel is established

   Embratel is created as Brazil's national long-distance telecommunications company and becomes part of the Telebras system.

   Source

A Brazilian enterprise, government, wholesale, and communications-infrastructure provider built around national fixed, data, satellite, and long-distance capabilities.

• Fixed-line and long-distance voiceVoice telecommunications1965

  Embratel's original and most historically defining activity was the provision of long-distance telecommunications in Brazil. Its role within Telebras made it responsible for carrying intercity and international voice traffic across the national network. Although the Brazilian market has evolved toward mobile and internet-based communications, this legacy established the brand as a national carrier and remains central to its identity.

• Enterprise data and network servicesEnterprise telecommunications

  Embratel provides business-oriented data communications and network connectivity supported by fiber-optic, microwave, satellite, and other telecommunications infrastructure. These capabilities serve corporate, government, wholesale, and institutional users requiring managed connectivity and national or international data transport.

• Satellite communicationsSatellite telecommunications

  The Embratel telecommunications platform has been associated with domestic communications satellites and the Star One satellite operation. Satellite capacity supports communications, broadcasting, connectivity, and distribution services, particularly where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or where national-scale coverage is required.

• Submarine and international connectivityWholesale telecommunications

  Embratel has been associated with international cable systems including UNISUR, Americas II, Atlantis-2, and Columbus III. These subsea networks complement its domestic fiber and microwave infrastructure and support international voice, data, internet, and wholesale communications traffic.

• Via EmbratelPay television2008

  Via Embratel was a subscription direct-to-home television service launched in 2008. It operated in the Ku band through the Star One C2 satellite. The service was later rebranded as Claro TV+ DTH as América Móvil aligned its Brazilian consumer television operations with the Claro brand.

• 2013Thomaz Bellucci sponsorship

  Brazil

  Embratel sponsored Brazilian tennis player Thomaz Bellucci, linking the telecommunications brand with a nationally recognized sports figure and public-facing Brazilian identity.

  Outcome. The sponsorship is documented as a brand-marketing activity; its commercial results are not specified in the available reference.

  Source

• 2008Launch of Via Embratel pay televisionProduct launch

  Embratel sought to extend its communications and satellite capabilities into subscription television distribution.

  What changed. The company launched a Ku-band direct-to-home television service delivered through the Star One C2 satellite.

  Aftermath. Via Embratel was later rebranded as Claro TV+ DTH within América Móvil's Brazilian brand portfolio.

  Source
• 1998Sale of Embratel to MCI CommunicationsM&A

  Brazil's Telebras system was broken up and privatized, creating a major ownership transition for its long-distance telecommunications arm.

  What changed. Embratel was sold to MCI Communications in a transaction reported at 2.65 billion Brazilian reais.

  Aftermath. The transaction transferred Embratel from the state-owned Telebras structure to international private ownership. MCI later went bankrupt, and Embratel subsequently became owned by América Móvil in 2003.

  Reported acquisition value. 2.65 billion Brazilian reais (1998 acquisition)

  Source
• Rebranding of Via Embratel as Claro TV+ DTHGeneration change

  América Móvil consolidated consumer communications and television services under the Claro brand in Brazil.

  What changed. Via Embratel was transitioned to the Claro TV+ DTH brand.

  Aftermath. The change reduced the visibility of the Embratel name in consumer pay television while preserving the service's satellite-based distribution heritage.

  Source

• 2013Embratel begins sponsorship of tennis player Thomaz Bellucci

  Embratel began sponsoring Brazilian tennis player Thomaz Bellucci as part of its public brand and sports-marketing activity.

  Campaign
  Source
• 2008Embratel launches Via Embratel pay television service

  The company introduced a Ku-band direct-to-home subscription television service using the Star One C2 satellite.

  Product launch
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• 2003Embratel ownership passes to América Móvil after MCI's bankruptcy

  After MCI Communications went bankrupt, Embratel became owned by América Móvil, the Mexican telecommunications group.

  M&ABankruptcy
  Source
• 1998Embratel is privatized and acquired by MCI Communications

  During the break-up of Telebras, Embratel was sold to the United States company MCI Communications in a transaction reported at 2.65 billion Brazilian reais.

  M&A
  Source
• 1965Embratel is created as Brazil's national long-distance telecommunications operator

  Embratel was established and became the long-distance arm of the Telebras system, supporting national voice and communications infrastructure.

  Other
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• Via Embratel is rebranded as Claro TV+ DTH

  The former Via Embratel direct-to-home television service subsequently operated under the Claro TV+ DTH brand within América Móvil's Brazilian portfolio.

  Product generation
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1. Embratel
2. Embratel official website