Digital connectivity in Portugal

National digital connectivity strategy and policy

Responsible authorities

• The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing (Ministério das Infraestruturas e Habitação) is responsible communication infrastructure and deployment of very high-capacity networks (VHCN).
• The National Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications - Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ANACOM) has several responsibilities in the field of digital connectivity. Its main targets are the promotion of competition, transparency and further development of communication networks and markets.

Main aims for digital connectivity development

The Portugal Digital Strategy (Estratégia Digital Nacional, EDN) and its Action Plan promote an inclusive, sustainable, and ethical digital transition by simplifying digital interactions among citizens, businesses, digital skills, and the state. The strategy ensures the protection of fundamental rights and universal access to digital technologies. 

The aim of the National Strategy for Connectivity in Very High Capacity Electronic Communication Networks for 2023-2030 is to ensure that all households are covered by a Gigabit network by 2030. The financing will be ensured by (i) private funding sources, where investments can be made under market conditions; and by (ii) public funds, where market failures may lead to the exclusion. In the "white areas", this public investment is complementary to private investment. The public intervention to support the installation of very high capacity networks in "white areas" is a proportional measure limited to the minimum necessary to achieve the objective of promoting equity and territorial cohesion in access to an infrastructure that is essential for citizens and for business needs. The strategy will make it possible to launch public tenders to install, manage and operate high capacity networks in ‘white areas’. ANACOM will monitor digital connectivity mapping and the installation of networks through Key Indicators. 

The Portugal 2030 contains plans to deploy VHCN to households and to industrial, commercial and agricultural premises by 2030.

ANACOM works to create conditions for a consistent and competitive development of 5G. The 5G Portal provides information to the public.

Main measures and financial instruments for digital connectivity development

Digital connectivity mapping: Portugal benefits from a digital connectivity infrastructure mapping initiative Centralised Information System established by ANACOM. The infrastructure-mapping tool contains both information about the existing infrastructure suitable for carrying electronic communications networks as well as the planned ones. The main goal of CIS is to avoid inefficient duplication and inconvenience caused to citizens and businesses by frequent and extensive underground work. GEO.ANACOM provides data, in open data format, on fixed digital connectivity and mobile digital connectivity coverage, shows information on the performance of mobile services as well as provides an interactive map of white areas.

Portugal’s roadmap to implement the Connectivity Toolbox foresees revising the legislation to provide model regulations on electronic communications network deployment, launching a digital guide, and cooperation between the government, the ANACOM and the municipalities to harmonise permit-granting procedures. Portugal also plans to set up a permanent group for improving transparency through the single information point and the right of access to existing physical infrastructures.

Data on digital connectivity development and technologies in Portugal

For the latest data on digital connectivity coverage, subscriptions and penetrations, coverage of different digital connectivity technologies check the Digital Decade country reports.

National and EU publications and press documents

English

• Broadband Investment Handbook
• Mobile and Fixed Broadband Prices in Europe 2023
• Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU27

Portuguese

• Estratégia Nacional para a Conectividade em Redes de Comunicações Eletrónicas de Capacidade Muito Elevada 2023-2030
• Portugal 2030
• Estratégia Digital Nacional

Contact information

BCO Portugal (national Broadband Competence Office): National Communications Authority - ANACOM (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações)

Address: Av. José Malhoa 12, 1099-017 Lisbon, Portugal
Contact via email
Phone: +351 21 721 2470
Website

Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing (Ministério das Infraestruturas e Habitação)

Contact via email
Website