Telecommunications in Portugal - A Comprehensive Guide to Services and Companies

Portugal has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, with high-speed internet and mobile coverage available throughout the country.

The main telecommunications service providers in Portugal are NOS, MEO, and Vodafone, which offer a range of services including broadband, mobile, and TV.

Portugal's telecommunications market is highly competitive, with these three main providers competing for customers.

To set up a new internet connection in Portugal, you'll need to choose a provider and select a plan that suits your needs, with prices starting from around €20 per month.

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Telecommunications Services in Portugal are highly developed and widely available.

NOS and MEO are the two main telecommunications operators in Portugal, providing a range of services including fixed and mobile phone, internet, and television.

With NOS, customers can choose from a variety of internet plans, including those with speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

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Television is a popular form of entertainment in Portugal, with a significant number of broadcast stations and paid subscriptions. There are 170 television broadcast stations, including repeaters, as of 2024.

The country has a well-established free-to-air television network, with four main channels: RTP1, RTP2, RTP3, and RTP Memória. These channels offer a wide range of programming, from news and current events to entertainment and educational content.

In addition to these main channels, there are several free-to-air national coverage stations, including SIC, TVI, Porto Canal, RTP Açores, and RTP Madeira. These stations cater to specific regions or demographics, providing local content and programming.

For those who prefer international content, there are several satellite and cable channels available, including RTPi, RTP África, and SIC Internacional. These channels offer a range of programming, from international news and current events to entertainment and sports.

Portugal's digital TV system uses the DVB-T standard, which supports both SD and HD broadcasts. This allows for high-quality picture and sound, making it an enjoyable viewing experience.

Here are some of the key free-to-air television networks in Portugal:

Pay TV bundles are a popular choice for many Portuguese consumers, offering a convenient and often cost-effective way to access a range of services.

Revenue from pay TV bundles in Portugal is expected to increase from 2020 to 2024, with a projected growth of 1,000 euros in revenue by 2024.

The number of pay TV subscribers in Portugal is also on the rise, with a projected 1,000s of new subscribers expected by 2024.

Pay TV bundles often include a range of services, including pay TV and DTT (digital terrestrial television).

The penetration rate of pay TV and DTT in Portugal varies by region, with a higher penetration rate in some areas than others.

Here's a breakdown of the projected revenue from pay TV bundles in Portugal by number of services included:

Pay TV bundles are a convenient option for consumers who want to access a range of services without having to sign up for each one separately.

The number of pay TV subscribers in Portugal is expected to increase by 1,000s by 2024, with a higher number of subscribers expected in certain regions.

Pay TV bundles often include a range of services, including pay TV, DTT, and telecom services.

The share of subscribers to telecom bundles in Portugal is expected to increase by 2024, with a higher share expected in certain regions.

The most common fixed telecommunication services included in bundles in Portugal in 2024 are expected to include internet, phone, and TV services.

For another approach, see: Phone-paid Services Authority

The telecom and pay-TV services revenue in Portugal is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.4% during 2024-2029. This growth is driven by increasing 5G adoption, rising mobile broadband subscriptions, and growing demand for high-speed data services.

Mobile data service revenue is expected to grow at a five-year CAGR of 5.6%, thanks to operators' investments in expanding 5G coverage and offering unlimited or higher data plans. This growth is a significant boost to the industry.

Fixed broadband service revenue will grow at a CAGR of 1.7% across the forecast period, thanks to gains in fiber subscriptions on the back of broadband network expansion efforts by the government and telcos.

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Altice Portugal is the largest telecommunications service provider in Portugal, having been a wholly owned subsidiary of Altice Group since June 2, 2015.

Altice Portugal was previously known as Portugal Telecom or PT, reflecting its history as an independent company.

Its ownership by Altice Group, a multinational cable and telecommunications company, has given it the resources to expand its services and reach more customers.

Ar Telecom is a Portuguese telco that operates a new data center in Alfragide, Lisbon.

The initial phase of the facility covers 1,400 square meters.

This data center is located in the Lisbon area, specifically in Alfragide.

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Alexandre Fonseca, co-CEO of Altice, has left the company following an investigation into alleged corruption at the telco.

The investigation was carried out in July, and Fonseca temporarily stepped down to protect Altice's interests.

Fonseca is not a suspect in the investigation, but he chose to leave the company anyway.

Mobile telephony in Portugal is a rapidly evolving industry. The number of cellular mobile connections in Portugal is expected to reach 14.8 million by 2025, up from 13.3 million in 2023.

Portugal has a diverse mobile market with multiple providers. In 2024, the distribution of mobile connections in Portugal was dominated by NOS, with 44.8% market share, followed by MEO with 35.1% and Vodafone with 20.1%.

Mobile voice traffic in Portugal has been on the rise. In the 4th quarter of 2024, mobile voice traffic reached 2.1 billion minutes.

Average monthly mobile voice traffic in Portugal varies by type. In 2024, the average monthly mobile voice traffic per access was 1,331 minutes for prepaid users and 1,444 minutes for postpaid users.

The number of SMS sent in Portugal has been steadily increasing. From 2019 to 2024, the number of SMS sent in Portugal reached 5.5 billion.

Here's a breakdown of the number of cellular mobile connections in Portugal from 2023 to 2025:

In Portugal, fixed-line telephony is still a widely used service, with a significant number of accesses from 2021 to 2024, by type. The number of fixed telephone service accesses in Portugal from 2021 to 2024, by type, is expected to reach 1 million.

The breakdown of fixed telephone service accesses in Portugal from 2021 to 2024, by segment, shows that residential and business segments have a significant share. In 2024, the residential segment is expected to account for the majority of fixed telephone service accesses.

The share of fixed telephone service accesses in Portugal from 2021 to 2024, by provider, indicates that the market is dominated by a few major players. In 2024, the market share of the largest provider is expected to be around 60%.

Fixed-line voice call volume in Portugal in Q4 2024, by type, is expected to be around 100 million minutes. This is a significant decrease from previous years, indicating a shift towards mobile and online communication.

Here is a breakdown of the expected fixed-line voice call volume in Portugal in Q4 2024, by type:

In contrast, fixed-line internet is gaining popularity in Portugal, with a significant increase in the number of accesses from 2020 to 2024, by type. The number of accesses to fixed-line internet in Portugal from 2020 to 2024, by type, is expected to reach 2 million.

The distribution of fixed broadband subscriptions in Portugal in 2024, by access type, shows that fibre-optic connections are becoming increasingly popular. In 2024, fibre-optic connections are expected to account for around 70% of all fixed broadband subscriptions.

The share of fixed-line internet accesses in Portugal from 2020 to 2024, by provider, indicates that the market is becoming increasingly competitive. In 2024, the market share of the largest provider is expected to be around 40%.

Fixed-line broadband internet enterprise penetration in Portugal in 2024, by size, shows that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are driving the adoption of fixed-line broadband internet. In 2024, SMEs are expected to account for around 60% of all fixed-line broadband internet enterprise subscriptions.

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