SPORTS

Brazil official admits cellphone Internet service won't work well in some World Cup stadiums

The Associated Press Published Thursday, May 1, 2014 9:29PM EDT

The Castelao stadium stands empty in Fortaleza, Brazil, Monday, April 28, 2014. Castelao will host matches during the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Text:

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Brazil's top communications official admits some soccer fans won't be able to access the Internet on their cellphones inside some World Cup stadiums.

Communications Minister Paulo Bernardo says there was no time to install the necessary equipment to boost data services in some of the 12 stadiums, including the one hosting the June 12 opener.

Bernardo told a congressional hearing Wednesday that it will also "be very difficult to offer good-quality services" at the Arena da Baixada in the southern city of Curitiba and at the Mineirao Stadium in central Belo Horizonte. The stadiums in Curitiba and Sao Paulo are yet to be completed.

Bernardo told Brazil's official news agency Agencia Brasil that fans will have to rely on 3G data coverage, which is already deficient across the country.