Brazil says it will auction four orbital geostationary satellite positions to expand its Internet and telephony services for next year's World Cup.

The official news agency Agencia Brasil said Brazil telecoms watchdog Anatel approved the move Thursday.

Operation rights would be for 15 years, renewable for another 15 years, according to Anatel.

The minimum price and the exact date for the tender were not spelled out.

Each bidder will be entitled to a maximum of two of the four orbital positions on offer.

Marcelo Bechara, An Anatel official in charge of the auction, said some companies already expressed interest and said they could launch satellites that could operate during the World Cup, which kicks off in Sao Paulo next June.

A previous orbital satellite position tender occurred in 2011 when Star One, a subsidiary of Brazilian telecoms operator Embratel, and HNS Americas Comunicacoes emerged as winners.