Oi
Oi was a Brazilian telecommunications brand that provided fixed-line, mobile, broadband, internet, pay-television, Wi-Fi, and voice services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Oi was a major Brazilian telecommunications brand headquartered in Rio de Janeiro. Its roots lay in the 1998 privatization and breakup of Telebras, when sixteen state-owned local telephone companies serving northern, northeastern, and southeastern Brazil were consolidated into Tele Norte Leste, later known as Telemar. The resulting operator covered a very large geographic area, including states such as Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Ceará, Maranhão, Pará, Amazonas, and others. At formation, its operating territory represented approximately 65 percent of Brazil’s land area and around 20 million households. Initially, the business concentrated on local fixed voice services, data connections, and interstate long-distance calling. It subsequently expanded into mobile communications, broadband, internet access, international calling, Wi-Fi, voice over IP, and pay television. The Oi consumer brand was introduced as part of a broad corporate and commercial unification. On March 1, 2007, Telemar placed its principal businesses and services under the Oi name, although several underlying legal entities continued to use Telemar and Tele Norte Leste names. The company’s mobile operation, Oi Móvel, became a central part of the brand. Oi launched mobile services in 2002 and was an early Brazilian GSM operator. It emphasized SIM and plan sales and, from 2007, sold only unlocked handsets. Its expansion included the acquisition of Amazônia Celular and the later rollout of service in São Paulo. Oi Internet began in 2004, while Oi Velox developed into a major DSL broadband offering. The company also operated Oi Fixo for landlines, Oi TV for direct-to-home television, Oi Wi-Fi, Oi VoIP, and the 31 long-distance calling service. Oi pursued consolidation as Brazil’s telecommunications market developed. It completed the acquisition of Brasil Telecom in January 2009 after legislative changes allowed the transaction. The deal expanded its fixed, broadband, and mobile presence and was associated with the informal “SuperOi” concept. Portugal Telecom acquired a significant stake in Oi in 2010, and the companies announced a broader merger in 2013. That transaction became financially troubled after problems emerged around Rioforte, a Portuguese investment vehicle that failed to make an agreed payment connected with Portugal Telecom. The resulting liquidity pressure weakened Oi’s capital structure. On June 20, 2016, Oi sought Brazilian judicial recovery protection in what was described as the country’s largest corporate bankruptcy filing at the time. The restructuring period was marked by debt negotiations, asset-sale plans, regulatory scrutiny, and continuing operational difficulties. Oi was criticized and fined by Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, over service-quality shortcomings and customer-service problems. In December 2020, a consortium formed by Vivo, TIM, and Claro agreed to acquire Oi’s mobile assets, with regulatory approvals following in 2022. Oi’s American depositary receipts were delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in October 2021. Oi filed for Chapter 15 protection in the United States again in February 2023, alongside its Brazilian restructuring efforts. Reference material reports that in 2025 the company was declared bankrupt and ordered to liquidate its assets. Accordingly, Oi is treated here as a defunct telecommunications brand rather than an active consumer-staples or food business. Its historical importance rests on its role in the post-privatization transformation of Brazilian telecommunications and on the scale of its fixed, mobile, and broadband network before the disposal of major assets.
History
Oi emerged from Brazil’s telecommunications privatization in 1998. The government’s breakup of Telebras created regional operating companies, and sixteen state-owned local exchange carriers were combined into Tele Norte Leste. The new group served a large collection of states across northern, northeastern, and southeastern Brazil. A consortium led by Andrade Gutierrez and Inepar Holdings acquired the privatized operator, which initially traded and operated under Telemar-related corporate names. The early business was primarily a fixed-line carrier. Its permitted activities included local telephone service, data connectivity, and interstate long-distance voice traffic. Over time, the company expanded beyond the original regional fixed-line model. It developed mobile communications, broadband, internet access, international calling, Wi-Fi, voice over IP, and pay television. Mobile service began in 2002, and Oi became an early GSM operator in Brazil. The company later emphasized unlocked handsets and subscription or prepaid plans rather than restricting customers to carrier-locked devices. Oi Internet launched in 2004 and initially promoted dial-up access. Broadband services followed in early 2005, first supporting Oi Velox DSL customers and later extending to customers using other Brazilian broadband networks. The company’s portfolio was progressively organized around distinct service labels, including Oi Fixo, Oi Móvel, Oi Velox, Oi TV, Oi Wi-Fi, Oi VoIP, and the 31 calling service. The brand consolidation occurred on March 1, 2007, when Telemar unified its commercial operations under the Oi name. The legal corporate structure remained more complicated, with Telemar Norte Leste, Tele Norte Leste Participações, and other entities continuing to exist. In 2008, Oi announced its plan to acquire Brasil Telecom. The transaction required changes to Brazilian telecommunications rules because a fixed-line operator was restricted from acquiring another operator in a separate license area. Oi completed the purchase on January 9, 2009, and began introducing the Oi brand into the Brasil Telecom territory later that year. Portugal Telecom became an important shareholder in 2010, acquiring 22.4 percent of Oi’s shares. In 2013, the companies announced a merger intended to create a stronger telecommunications group and simplify ownership. The transaction was undermined by financial problems associated with Rioforte, which failed to make a payment linked to Portugal Telecom. Oi was left with reduced access to expected capital and increased financial strain. Portugal Telecom itself was acquired by Altice in June 2015, further changing the ownership context around the earlier alliance. Debt pressure culminated in Oi’s June 2016 judicial recovery filing in Brazil. The company continued to serve customers while negotiating with creditors and considering asset sales, but it also faced regulatory criticism. Anatel imposed penalties and criticized Oi for failing to meet some mobile-service quality targets; customers also reported dissatisfaction with service and support. Despite these difficulties, the company remained a significant carrier. Reference material records 63 million revenue-generating units in March 2017, including personal mobile, landline, and business customers. Oi’s financial condition continued to deteriorate. The company reported a substantial fourth-quarter loss in 2019 and lower revenue than in the comparable period. In December 2020, Vivo, TIM, and Claro agreed to acquire Oi’s mobile assets for restructuring purposes. ANATEL and CADE approved the relevant transaction in January 2022, with conditions attached by CADE. Oi’s ADRs had already been removed from the New York Stock Exchange in October 2021. In February 2023, Oi filed again for Chapter 15 protection in the United States. Reference material states that in 2025 the company was declared bankrupt and ordered to liquidate its assets, marking the effective end of Oi as an independent operating telecommunications brand. Its history illustrates both the expansion of Brazil’s telecom market after privatization and the risks of debt-heavy consolidation in a capital-intensive network industry.
- 2023
Second Chapter 15 filing
[1]Oi again sought United States recognition of its Brazilian restructuring proceedings.
- 2020
Mobile assets enter sale process
[1]Vivo, TIM, and Claro formed a consortium to purchase Oi’s mobile assets.
- 2016
Brazilian judicial recovery filing
[1]Oi filed for judicial recovery protection amid severe debt and liquidity problems.
- 2010
Portugal Telecom takes a major stake
[1]Portugal Telecom acquired a 22.4 percent stake in Oi.
- 2009
Brasil Telecom acquisition closes
[1]Oi completed the acquisition of Brasil Telecom and began extending its brand across the acquired operating area.
- 2007
Telemar adopts the Oi master brand
[1]Telemar unified its principal companies and services under the Oi commercial identity.
- 2005
Broadband expansion begins
[1]Oi Internet expanded into broadband, initially supporting Oi Velox DSL subscribers.
- 2004
Oi Internet launches
[1]The company introduced an internet service provider business, initially centered on dial-up access.
- 2002
Mobile network launches
[1]Oi launched mobile services in its licensed states and became an early GSM operator in Brazil.
- 1998
Tele Norte Leste is formed through privatization
[1]Sixteen state-owned regional telephone companies were consolidated into Tele Norte Leste during the breakup and privatization of Telebras. The business became associated with the Telemar name.
Products and positioning
A mass-market Brazilian telecommunications provider built around broad network coverage, accessible fixed and mobile connectivity, and a unified consumer brand.
Mobile telecommunications · 2002
Oi Móvel
Oi Móvel was the company’s mobile voice and data operation. It launched in 2002 using GSM technology and later expanded its licensed footprint, including São Paulo. Oi promoted unlocked handsets from 2007 and offered mobile plans and prepaid services. The business became one of Oi’s most strategically important assets before its sale to a consortium of competing Brazilian carriers.
Fixed-line telephony
Oi Fixo
Oi Fixo was the brand’s fixed telephone service, descended from the regional landline operations assembled during the Telebras privatization. It served residential and business customers and remained a substantial part of Oi’s revenue-generating base even as mobile and broadband services became more prominent.
DSL broadband
Oi Velox
Oi Velox was Oi’s principal DSL broadband offering. It developed from the company’s fixed-line infrastructure and became closely associated with Oi Internet. The service initially focused on DSL customers within Oi’s network and supported the company’s transition from traditional telephony toward household internet connectivity.
Internet service provider · 2004
Oi Internet
Oi Internet provided dial-up and later broadband internet access. It launched in 2004 and introduced broadband services in 2005, initially for Oi Velox subscribers. Its service footprint later included customers using other Brazilian broadband networks.
Pay television
Oi TV
Oi TV was the company’s direct-to-home pay-television service. It extended Oi’s consumer portfolio beyond connectivity into subscription entertainment and complemented its fixed, broadband, and mobile offerings.
Wi-Fi access
Oi Wi-Fi
Oi Wi-Fi provided wireless access for home users and through public or affiliated hotspots. It was positioned as an extension of Oi’s broadband and mobile ecosystem.
Voice over IP
Oi VoIP
Oi VoIP offered voice communications over internet connections, broadening the company’s voice portfolio beyond conventional fixed-line and mobile networks.
Long-distance calling
31
31 was Oi’s branded long-distance and international calling service. It represented the company’s continued role in traditional voice traffic after its expansion into mobile and internet products.
Controversies
2025
Bankruptcy and liquidation order
Reference material reports that Oi was declared bankrupt and ordered to liquidate its assets, effectively ending the company’s independent operation.
2023
Second bankruptcy-protection proceeding
Oi filed again for Chapter 15 protection in the United States while continuing restructuring proceedings in Brazil. The filing reflected unresolved creditor and liquidity pressures.
2016
Large-scale debt and judicial recovery
Oi’s filing for judicial recovery followed debt accumulation and financial stress associated with its expansion, the Portugal Telecom transaction, and the failure of Rioforte to make an agreed payment. The case became one of Brazil’s largest corporate restructuring proceedings.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014FIFA World Cup Brazil sponsorship
Brazil
Oi was associated with sponsorship activity around the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosted by Brazil.
Outcome. The sponsorship gave the brand national visibility during a major international sporting event.
- 2009Oi Fashion Rocks Brasil
Brazil
Oi sponsored the Brazilian editions of Fashion Rocks in 2009 and 2010 as part of its music and fashion-oriented brand activity.
Outcome. The events supported Oi’s positioning as a youth- and culture-oriented consumer brand.
- 2007Oi brand unification
Brazil
Oi unified Telemar’s principal services and operating brands under a single commercial identity as part of its national expansion.
Outcome. The Oi name became the group’s principal consumer-facing telecommunications brand.
- 2007Pan American Games sponsorship
Brazil
Oi sponsored the 2007 Pan American Games held in Rio de Janeiro.
Outcome. The sponsorship associated the growing telecommunications brand with a major Brazilian sporting event.
Brand decisions
2023
Seek renewed Chapter 15 protectionStrategyBackground
Oi continued to face unresolved debt and restructuring obligations after the first Brazilian judicial recovery process.
Action taken
The company filed for Chapter 15 protection in the United States on February 8, 2023.
Aftermath
The filing supported cross-border recognition of the Brazilian restructuring process but did not prevent the later reported bankruptcy and liquidation order.
2020
Sell the mobile businessM&ABackground
Asset sales became central to Oi’s restructuring and debt-reduction strategy.
Action taken
Oi agreed to sell its mobile assets to a consortium formed by Vivo, TIM, and Claro.
Aftermath
The transaction received regulatory approvals in 2022 and removed one of Oi’s most significant operating divisions.
2016
Enter judicial recoveryStrategyBackground
Debt, liquidity constraints, and problems connected with the Portugal Telecom transaction made ordinary refinancing increasingly difficult.
Action taken
Oi filed for judicial recovery protection in Brazil on June 20, 2016.
Aftermath
The company entered a prolonged restructuring period involving creditor negotiations, regulatory oversight, and asset-sale proposals.
2013
Merge with Portugal TelecomM&ABackground
Oi and Portugal Telecom sought to strengthen their strategic relationship and simplify the ownership structure of their combined businesses.
Action taken
The companies announced a merger and began reorganizing their corporate and shareholder arrangements.
Aftermath
The transaction was disrupted by Rioforte’s failure to make an agreed payment, leaving Oi with additional financial pressure and reduced expected capital support.
2009
Acquire Brasil TelecomM&ABackground
Oi sought to expand beyond its original regional footprint and combine two major Brazilian fixed-line operations.
Action taken
After changes to applicable telecommunications legislation, Oi completed the acquisition on January 9, 2009.
Aftermath
The transaction created a larger national telecommunications group and enabled rollout of the Oi brand in the Brasil Telecom area.
Recent events
Oi Conta Zap digital account launched in Brazil[2]
Reported:
Oi announced the launch throughout Brazil of Oi Conta Zap, a digital bank account managed through WhatsApp and launched in association with Conta Zap.
Sources2 sources
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