1. The prices charged by the incumbent operator in Portugal are, generally speaking, significantly lower than the average for all the other countries in the case of short-distance analogue circuits and of 64kbps and 2Mbps national digital circuits, and are slightly higher in some segments relating to higher capacities (34 Mbps), although there has been a considerable reduction in the price list applicable to this type of circuits. With regard to international digital circuits, it should be pointed out that the prices implemented by the Portuguese incumbent operator are generally below the average price charged by similar operators in the EU.
2. In Portugal, the price of the overall basket of national circuits (analogue, digital at 64 Kbps, 2 Mbps and 34 Mbps) is 29% lower than the average of the values applicable in the other EU countries, and is the second lowest amongst the EU¿s incumbent operators.
3. The price of the basket of analogue circuits is around 8% below the average, whilst the price of the basket of national digital circuits (digital at 64 Kbps, 2 Mbps and 34 Mbps) is 29% lower than the aforementioned average.
4. The basket of 64 Kbps digital circuits is the third most economical in the EU, 33% less than the average for the other operators considered.
5. The price of the basket of circuits with a 2 Mbps capacity is 30% lower than the average charged in the other EU countries, and also stands in third place vis-à-vis operators with the most economical baskets.
6. The installation of leased lines in Portugal is charged at values which are substantially lower than the average for the other traditional operators, and the most significant difference is - 84% relating to the installation of a 34 Mbps national digital circuit.
7. It is noted, generically, that the price of digital circuits is somewhat below the average price charged by the other operators. The exception to this is 34 Mbps circuits at a length of 2 km.
Figure 15 - Differences in the monthly subscription to the different types of circuit, with regard to the average for the other incumbent operators in the EU
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8. The average prices of 64 Kbps and 2 Mbps international circuits, for the six countries considered, are lower than the EU average, by 48% and 30%, respectively. As regards international circuits with a 34 Mbps capacity, the prices of circuits rented from the Portuguese incumbent operator and terminating in Spain or Italy are lower than the prices of the equivalent circuits rented from the incumbent operators in Spain and Italy, with special emphasis on circuits between Portugal and Spain, whose price as charged by PTC is 62% lower than that charged by Telefónica.
