Brazil is considering making USB-C mandatory, but only for phones
The EU already decided to make USB-C mandatory for small and medium-sized electronics (crucially including smartphones) from 2024. Some US politicians want to adopt a similar policy and now Brazil’s wireless regulator is asking locals whether it should follow suit.
Anatel published Public Consultation 45/2022 to gauge the sentiment of Brazilian citizens and companies, who have until August 26 to make their feelings known. Unlike EU’s new rules, which also include tablets, handheld consoles, headphones, speakers, ebook readers and similar electronics, Anatel’s proposal covers only smartphones.
The agency wants to standardize the charging protocol too, not just the connector. Also, the retail package and manual will have to indicate the minimum power required and whether fast charging is supported. Interestingly, the plan is to make USB-C mandatory only for phones that support wired charging, leaving a door open for phones that charge only over wireless.
All of this is aimed at Apple, of course, as other smartphone makers have already embraced USB-C (as has Apple itself for iPads and Macs). The company is reportedly already testing iPhones with a Type C port.
This is not the first time such a move has been considered. For example, in 2019 Anatel published a recommendation that defined the requirements for a common charger. The agency echoes the same advantages as the EU and US – reducing e-waste while increasing customer convenience, a win-win.
And it mentioned the same concern – that USB-C will stifle innovation. Modern smartphones haven’t reached the limit of the USB-C connector. It can support up to 240W charging and it can drive an 8K monitor. Plus, the EU made it clear that it is open to adopting a new, superior standard once the time comes (it was previously pushing microUSB as the common standard, so it has done in once already).
