Portugal’s Success Story in 5G Adoption: From Obstacles to EU Model
Portugal has emerged as a shining example of successful 5G adoption in Europe, despite facing initial challenges. Just over two years after the launch of its first commercial 5G offerings, the country is being hailed as a “model” for other EU members by the European Commission.
Telecom operators in Portugal played a crucial role in this remarkable turnaround. Despite initial delays caused by a prolonged and contentious frequency auction, these operators made swift actions and significant investments, propelling Portugal to the forefront of 5G deployment in the EU.
The auction process, introduced at the end of 2020, stretched over ten months and faced litigation on multiple fronts. However, the recent report by the European Commission on the state of the digital decade confirms that these issues are now firmly in the past. Portugal is on track to achieve 100% coverage and connectivity well before the 2030 deadline.
The report highlights that Portugal’s coverage in the primary 5G band, the 3.4-3.8 GHz band, is among the highest in the EU, with 65.2% of Portuguese households covered. This is a significant achievement considering Portugal was initially lagging behind due to regulatory delays.
The investments made by the telecom operators have been instrumental in Portugal’s success. These investments have not only helped the country surpass the European average in coverage but have also mitigated the unjustified delays caused by the regulatory licensing process.
The significant investments required from all operators have positioned Portugal at the forefront in terms of network coverage. The Portuguese electronic communications sector has invested 10 billion euros over the past nine years, resulting in two Portuguese cities being recognized as European leaders in 5G coverage and speed.
Portugal’s success in 5G adoption is a testament to the resilience and determination of its telecom operators. Through their swift actions and substantial investments, they have transformed Portugal from being the second-to-last EU nation to deploy 5G to becoming an exemplary model for others to follow. The country’s 5G coverage now exceeds 98%, surpassing the average coverage across the EU.
Portugal’s journey toward 5G adoption serves as an inspiration for other EU members, demonstrating that with strategic investments and collaborative efforts, even initial obstacles can be overcome.
Portugal has become a successful example of 5G adoption in Europe, despite facing initial challenges. The country is now considered a model for other EU members by the European Commission.
Telecom operators in Portugal played a crucial role in this success. Despite delays caused by a lengthy frequency auction, these operators took swift actions and made significant investments, putting Portugal at the forefront of 5G deployment in the EU.
The auction process, which started in 2020, faced litigation and lasted for ten months. However, the European Commission’s recent report confirms that these issues are now in the past. Portugal is on track to achieve 100% coverage and connectivity before the 2030 deadline.
Portugal’s coverage in the primary 5G band, the 3.4-3.8 GHz band, is among the highest in the EU, with 65.2% of households covered. This is a remarkable achievement considering the initial regulatory delays.
The investments made by the telecom operators have been crucial to Portugal’s success. Not only have they helped the country surpass the European average in coverage, but they have also mitigated the delays caused by the licensing process.
The significant investments from all operators have positioned Portugal at the forefront of network coverage. The Portuguese electronic communications sector has invested 10 billion euros over the past nine years, resulting in two Portuguese cities being recognized as European leaders in 5G coverage and speed.
Portugal’s success in 5G adoption is a testament to the determination and resilience of its telecom operators. Through their actions and investments, Portugal has transformed from being one of the last EU countries to deploy 5G to becoming an exemplary model for others. The country now has over 98% 5G coverage, surpassing the EU average.
Portugal’s journey towards 5G adoption is an inspiration for other EU members. It demonstrates that with strategic investments and collaboration, initial obstacles can be overcome.
Definitions:
– 5G: the fifth generation of wireless technology that promises faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections compared to previous generations.
– EU: European Union, a political and economic union of 27 member states primarily located in Europe.
– Frequency auction: a process in which telecom operators bid for the right to use specific radio spectrum frequencies for wireless communication.
– Regulatory licensing process: the process of obtaining licenses and permits from regulatory authorities to operate telecommunication services.
Related links:
– Portugal: The Most Prepared EU Country for 5G Roll-out
– ANACOM – National Communications Authority