LIVE FROM ERICSSON BUSINESS INNOVATION FORUM 2012, BRAZIL: Brazil’s third-largest operator Claro is aiming to have LTE launched in six cities by June next year.

Fiamma Zarife, director of value-added services and roaming at the America Movil-owned operator, explained that local regulator Anatel has stipulated that the firm must have 4G services commercially available in cities that will host the 2013 Confederation Cup tournament. The tournament runs 15-30 June 2013 in Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, and Salvador.

“For next year the challenge will be huge,” Zarife stated. However, she pointed to the operator’s track record with network launches as evidence the company is capable of achieving these goals: “We were the first to launch 3G in Brazil and the first to launch a 4G test network in partnership with Ericsson in Brazil in three tourist cities.”