The Agenda Portugal Digital and the National Strategy for Connectivity in Very High Capacity Electronic Communication Networks for 2023-2030 shape development of digital infrastructure in Portugal.
Summary of digital connectivity development in Portugal
The Agenda Portugal Digital aims to develop a digital infrastructure that allows citizens to take advantage of the new opportunities offered by technologies. The National Strategy for Connectivity in Very High Capacity Electronic Communication Networks for 2023-2030 goal is to provide gigabit for all by 2030.
National digital connectivity strategy and policy
Responsible authorities
- The Secretary of State for digitalisation and administrative modernisation is responsible for digitalisation issues.
- The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing (Ministério das Infraestruturas e Habitação) is responsible for the definition of the digital connectivity policy and the political framework of the national digital connectivity strategy.
- 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 Agenda Portugal Digital - Portugal’s Action Plan for Digital Transition was updated in 2021. It aims to develop a digital infrastructure that allows citizens to take advantage of the new opportunities offered by technologies, yet does not set any more concrete aims related to digital connectivity infrastructure. The plan comprises three main pillars of action and a catalyst dimension:
- Pillar I – Capacity building and digital inclusion,
- Pillar II – Businesses’ digital transformation,
- Pillar III – Public services’ digitalisation.
Connectivity and infrastructure are mentioned as one of the catalysts.
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. A call for tenders on deployment, operations and maintenance of fixed VHCN in "white areas” was launched in 2023.
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 country reports of the Digital Economy & Society Index (DESI).
Spectrum assignments for wireless digital connectivity
For details on harmonised spectrum assignments, please consult the European 5G Observatory report.
National and EU publications and press documents
English
- Broadband Investment Handbook
- Mobile and Fixed Broadband Prices in Europe 2022
- Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU27
- Broadband Connectivity Reports and Analyses
Portuguese
- Estratégia Nacional para a Conectividade em Redes de Comunicações Eletrónicas de Capacidade Muito Elevada 2023-2030
- Portugal 2030
- Agenda Portugal Digital
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)
Address: Av. Barbosa du Bocage, nº 5 – 2º, 1049-039 Lisbon, Portugal
Contact via email
Phone: +351 210 426 200
Website
