Brazil - VHF ACARS
Most of Brazil is covered by SITA/Datacom VHF ACARS, and the eastern corridor is completely covered. This coverage extends to a station located on the offshore island of Fernando de Noronha (SBFN). The ACARS frequency is 131.55MHz, and this coverage was in place at the end of 2008.
AF447 was in range of the SBFN secondary radar until about 250NM or about 10 minutes after passing INTOL. With an omnidirectional 3dBi VHF antenna at SBFN, reliable data comms should have been achievable to at least 180NM with the a/c at FL350.