NET
A Brazilian cable and telecommunications brand offering pay television, broadband internet and fixed-line telephone services.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
NET was a Brazilian telecommunications company and consumer-facing service brand built around cable television, broadband internet and fixed-line telephony. It developed from a group of regional cable operators assembled in the early 1990s and became one of Brazil's most important providers of residential pay television and fixed broadband. Its principal services were NET TV, NET Vírtua broadband and NET Fone via Embratel, a telephone service delivered over the cable network. The business began on 12 December 1991, when Antônio Dias Leite founded Multicanal after acquiring small cable operators and operating licenses. The initial strategy was to assemble a national-scale cable platform without directly competing in the largest markets controlled by established media groups. Multicanal first acquired a small operator in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, and subsequently added seven operators or licenses in São Paulo and Goiás. The company emphasized signal distribution rather than producing television programming. This approach allowed it to concentrate investment on network expansion, service distribution and customer access. During the 1990s, the company attracted investment from Grupo Globo's Globopar and the American firm Ralph Partners II. Their participation supported the adoption of fiber-optic and coaxial network technology, helping NET build a broader platform for pay television and later broadband and telephony. NET also expanded through corporate combinations. In 1998, it completed the incorporation of Multicanal, and from 2000 to 2002 it operated under the corporate name Globo Cabo. In 2000, it acquired Vicom, a company associated with satellite communications infrastructure and more than 3,000 earth stations in Brazil. The ownership structure changed substantially in the 2000s. Embratel, then associated with Telmex and later controlled by América Móvil, acquired a controlling position in NET in 2005. Grupo Globo and Telmex also formed GB Empreendimentos e Participações to hold interests in the company under Brazil's ownership rules. NET and Embratel expanded beyond television by launching a combined pay-TV, broadband and fixed-telephony offering in 2006. The acquisition of Vivax, approved in 2007, further increased NET's cable footprint, and the NET brand was rolled out across Vivax areas by the end of that year. NET Vírtua became the company's principal broadband proposition. The service used hybrid fiber-coaxial infrastructure in much of its coverage area and later incorporated fiber-to-the-home deployments. By the late 2010s, the service was available across numerous Brazilian states and the Federal District. The company's residential portfolio also included telephone service under the NET Fone via Embratel name. NET TV remained a major pay-TV operation, reaching approximately 5.4 million subscribers in the second quarter of 2012. NET Vírtua had more than 9 million subscribers in the second quarter of 2019, while cable telephony had more than 2.5 million subscribers during the same period. In 2011, Claro, Embratel and NET announced plans to integrate their networks and services. Brazil's telecommunications regulator Anatel accepted the merger structure in 2014, and in January 2015 Claro incorporated Embratel and NET while retaining their consumer brands. Embratel subsequently increased its control of NET and, in 2012, received authorization to acquire remaining interests associated with Grupo Globo. The integration ultimately made NET part of América Móvil's Brazilian multi-service telecommunications operation rather than a fully independent corporate brand. On 11 July 2019, the NET brand ceased to operate as an independent brand and was absorbed into Claro's portfolio. Residential television, broadband and telephony services continued under Claro-facing names, while services for small and medium-sized businesses were consolidated under Embratel. In early 2020, the former NET service identity was used in the Claro NET brand, but that branding was later discontinued. The combined pay-TV proposition was initially presented as Claro NET HD and was renamed Claro TV+ on 26 May 2022. NET therefore survives primarily as a historical service and corporate brand within Brazil's cable and broadband industry rather than as an active standalone brand.
History
NET originated in Brazil's fragmented cable-television market. Antônio Dias Leite founded Multicanal on 12 December 1991 after acquiring a small operator in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, and assembling additional cable businesses and operating licenses. The early company deliberately targeted locations outside the largest markets dominated by major media groups. By 1992 and 1993, it had added seven more operators or licenses, including six in São Paulo and one in Goiás. Rather than producing its own television programming, Multicanal concentrated on distributing signals to subscribers. Investment from Globopar, part of Grupo Globo, and Ralph Partners II helped the business adopt fiber-optic and coaxial technologies. This infrastructure later supported the move from cable television into broadband internet and fixed telephony. NET São Paulo was established as an early multi-operator platform, reflecting the company's effort to combine regional systems into a larger network. In 1998, the company incorporated Multicanal. Between 2000 and 2002, it operated under the name Globo Cabo, and in 2000 it acquired Vicom, which operated a large network of satellite communication earth stations. The company's shareholders over time included Brazilian financial and institutional investors as well as Grupo Globo, Embratel-related entities and other strategic participants. Embratel acquired a controlling position in NET in March 2005. In the following years, the ownership structure connected NET with Telmex and later América Móvil, while Grupo Globo retained an important participation under the corporate arrangements required by Brazilian telecommunications and media rules. In 2006, NET and Embratel launched a bundled service combining pay television, broadband and fixed telephony. The combination expanded NET's role from a cable-TV operator into a broader residential communications provider. NET announced the acquisition of Vivax in late 2006. Regulatory approval was obtained in May 2007, the transaction was completed in June, and the NET identity was extended to Vivax locations by December. The company continued to expand its network and service portfolio. NET TV carried a broad set of pay-TV channels, while NET Vírtua developed into a major broadband service using hybrid fiber-coaxial infrastructure. In the late 2010s, NET also began deploying fiber-to-the-home in new cities and selected markets. The company pursued deeper integration with Claro and Embratel during the 2010s. In 2011, the three businesses announced plans to integrate networks and services. Anatel accepted the merger structure in 2014. In January 2015, Claro incorporated Embratel and NET and became a publicly held company under the corporate name Claro S.A., although the NET and Embratel brands continued to be used for particular services. Embratel's control of NET increased through further transactions, including the acquisition of interests associated with Grupo Globo. The final stage of NET's history was a brand consolidation rather than a separate expansion. On 11 July 2019, NET was absorbed into Claro's brand portfolio. Consumer services formerly associated with NET were repositioned under Claro, while small and medium-sized business services were placed under Embratel. The combined pay-TV service was marketed as Claro NET HD and was later renamed Claro TV+ on 26 May 2022. NET is consequently a discontinued standalone brand whose network and service legacy continues within América Móvil's Brazilian operations.
- 2022
Claro NET HD becomes Claro TV+
[1]The integrated pay-TV service is renamed Claro TV+.
- 2019
NET becomes part of Claro
[1]NET ceases to function as an independent brand and its consumer services move into Claro's portfolio.
- 2015
Claro incorporates NET and Embratel
[1]Claro incorporates the two companies under the Claro S.A. corporate structure while retaining their service brands.
- 2014
Anatel accepts the corporate merger structure
[1]Brazil's telecommunications regulator accepts the integration of Claro, Embratel and NET.
- 2012
Embratel receives authorization to take control
[1]Anatel authorizes Embratel to acquire further control of NET and associated interests held by Grupo Globo.
- 2007
Vivax integration is completed
[1]After regulatory approval and completion of the transaction, the NET brand is rolled out across Vivax service areas.
- 2006
Triple-play services are launched
[1]NET and Embratel introduce a combined pay-TV, broadband and fixed-telephony proposition.
- 2005
Embratel takes a controlling stake
[1]Embratel acquires control of NET in a transaction reported at 570 million Brazilian reais.
- 2000
Vicom is acquired
[1]NET acquires Vicom, which operated more than 3,000 satellite communications earth stations in Brazil.
- 1998
Multicanal is incorporated into the business
[1]NET completes the incorporation of Multicanal as part of its consolidation of regional cable operations.
Products and positioning
A mass-market Brazilian multi-service telecommunications provider centered on cable television, broadband internet and fixed telephony, with network integration and bundled residential services as core differentiators.
Pay television
NET TV
NET TV was the company's core cable-television service, distributing domestic and international pay-TV channels over its Brazilian cable network. It became one of the country's largest residential television platforms, with approximately 5.4 million subscribers reported in the second quarter of 2012. The service was later integrated into Claro's pay-TV portfolio.
Broadband internet
NET Vírtua
NET Vírtua was NET's broadband internet service. It initially relied heavily on hybrid fiber-coaxial infrastructure and later expanded into fiber-to-the-home deployments. The service covered cities in many Brazilian states and the Federal District and reported more than 9 million subscribers in the second quarter of 2019. It was subsequently incorporated into Claro's broadband offering.
Fixed-line telephony · 2006
NET Fone via Embratel
NET Fone via Embratel delivered fixed telephone service over NET's cable infrastructure in cooperation with Embratel. It formed part of the company's triple-play proposition alongside pay television and broadband internet. More than 2.5 million subscribers were reported for the telephone service in the second quarter of 2012. The service was later consolidated into the Claro and Embratel portfolios.
Integrated pay television
Claro NET HD
Claro NET HD was the post-integration pay-TV service combining the former NET and Claro television propositions. It represented the transition from separate brand identities toward a unified Claro residential entertainment offering. On 26 May 2022, the service was renamed Claro TV+.
Brand decisions
2022
Rebranding of Claro NET HDGeneration changeBackground
The post-merger pay-TV proposition still carried a transitional reference to the former NET identity.
Action taken
Claro renamed Claro NET HD as Claro TV+ on 26 May 2022.
Aftermath
The change completed the removal of NET from the principal consumer-facing name of the integrated pay-TV service.
2019
Absorption of NET into ClaroStrategyBackground
América Móvil was consolidating its Brazilian residential telecommunications operations under the Claro identity.
Action taken
NET ceased to operate as an independent brand, with residential television, broadband and telephony services moved into Claro's portfolio.
Aftermath
The former NET service identity was briefly used in the Claro NET brand before being discontinued; business services were aligned with Embratel.
2011
Integration of Claro, Embratel and NET networksStrategyBackground
The three operations were connected through common ownership and complementary fixed, mobile and media capabilities.
Action taken
Claro, Embratel and NET announced plans to integrate their networks and services.
Aftermath
The initiative led to regulatory approval in 2014 and corporate incorporation under Claro S.A. in 2015.
2007
Integration of VivaxM&ABackground
Vivax was one of Brazil's significant cable operators and offered an opportunity to expand NET's geographic coverage.
Action taken
NET completed the Vivax acquisition after regulatory approval and extended the NET brand to Vivax service areas.
Aftermath
The transaction increased NET's cable footprint and was followed by completion of the brand rollout in December 2007.
2006
Launch of the NET-Embratel triple-play propositionProduct launchBackground
NET was expanding beyond cable television while Embratel brought fixed-telephony capabilities and broader telecommunications infrastructure.
Action taken
The companies launched a bundled service combining pay television, broadband internet and fixed telephony.
Aftermath
The offering established NET as a multi-service residential communications provider rather than solely a cable-TV operator.
Recent events
Net reports record second-quarter 2020 results[2]
Net reported second-quarter 2020 revenue of SEK 603 million, up 75% year over year, and operating profit of SEK 369.1 million, up 349%. It also reported 66,800 new customers during the quarter, bringing its total customer count to 1.07 million.
Sources2 sources
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