The president of Anacom, Sandra Maximiano, said today in parliament that the new operator Digi brought “new dynamics to the telecommunications market” and that the remaining operators have already adapted their offers to the ‘low cost’ range.
“There is already a positive impact, in the most competitive price segment”, he stated, during a parliamentary hearing at the Infrastructure, Mobility and Housing Committee.
Stressing that “Digi installed its own network, with considerable speed” to boost competition, the president of the telecommunications regulator said that Anacom is in possession of data that confirm this “positive impact” in reducing telecommunications prices.
Responding to questions from deputies about mobile network coverage at national level, Sandra Maximiano was convinced that “Portugal compares well with other European countries in 5G”.
He stated, however, that it is always possible to improve the level of coverage, currently close to 90% at national level, particularly through new requirements for the coverage of ‘white areas’ in less populated areas, with very high capacity networks, and for the renewal of licenses that will take place in 2027.
“We are working on new obligations, within the scope of license renewals, to overcome difficulties in specific areas”, he clarified.
Confronted by Livre deputy, Rui Tavares, about the delay in implementing the European Digital Services Regulation, Sandra Maximiano explained that Anacom, since being appointed coordinator of digital services, met with the 32 entities considered relevant to “understand which entities it should work with in each area” within the scope of this mission.
The president of Anacom also referred to the “difficulties in recruiting, attracting and retaining talent” in the digital area, recalling that it is competing for professionals with the large “digital platforms”.
In this sense, he was available to “expand the scope” of Anacom and hire “data scientists, psychologists”, in addition to jurists, economists and telecommunications engineers who traditionally fill the regulatory body’s staff.
“Yes, there are delays in implementation, but we are working on the mission of coordinating digital services from day one. We have been working from moment zero”, he highlighted.
When taking stock of her mandate at Anacom, Sandra Maximiano announced that the procedure for allocating the spectrum lot in the 700Mhz band left over from the 5G auction is being defined.
Within the scope of spectrum supervision, ANACOM carried out, in 2024, 1,845 preventive actions and 250 inspection actions in around 250 parishes.
In response to complaints related to delays or failures in delivery by the universal postal service, around 40 inspections of CTT infrastructures were carried out in 2024 and 2025.
Following the April 2025 blackout, ANACOM presented the Government with measures to strengthen the resilience of electronic communications networks and services, in situations of disruption.
In 2024, it had already identified critical infrastructures and created a Security Incident Response Team, with the aim of reducing the impact and preventing serious incidents.