Chronology of Communications 2015

December

Publication, on 28 December, of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 101-A/2015 (as rectified by Declaration no. 56-B/2015, published on 29 December), approving the text of the addendum to the contract governing the conception, design, supply, installation, construction, management and maintenance of the integrated digital trunking system for Portugal's emergency and security network, concluded on 4 July 2006 between the Portuguese State and SIRESP - Gestão de Redes Digitais e de Segurança e Emergência (Integrated System for Portugal's Security and Emergency Networks).
ANACOM orders CTT to apply a set of measures, without prejudice to any determination of legal responsibility, to address the non-compliance determined under paragraph 3 of article 13 of Law no. 17/2012 of 26 April (measurement of quality of service levels).
EC launches a public consultation on the creation of a public-private partnership on cybersecurity, in 2016, as defined in the Strategy for the Digital Single Market.
ANACOM announces decision to commence the procedure of preparing a Regulation to govern operation of the Radio Data System (RDS).
ANACOM withdraws final draft decision concerning the wholesale broadcast market for delivery of content to end-users (market 18), approved by decision of 17 November 2015.
Publication, on 16 December, of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2352, setting out the weighted average of maximum mobile termination rates across the Union.
ANACOM approves MEO’s cost of capital rate for the 2015 financial period (9.3247%).
ANACOM approves final decision on the results of the auditing of the CLSU - Custos Líquidos do Serviço Universal (Net Costs of the Universal Service) reported by MEO - Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia (MEO) for the 2013 financial year (final values - 20,343,490.71 euros).
EC defines the maximum to be applied between 30 April 2016 and 14 June 2017 for calls received in intra-Union roaming at a value of 1.14 cents (excluding VAT).
ANACOM releases study on trends in access to broadband Internet in Portugal from mid-2006 to the end of 2014.
EC, EP and European Council reach agreement on the proposed NIS Directive (network and information security), the European Union's first legislation on cybersecurity.
EC publishes 5th Report on the application of the Postal Services Directive, summarising how the "Postal Services" Directive (Directive 97/67/EC, as amended by Directive 2002/39/EC and Directive 2008/6/EC) has been applied across the European Union as well as the main developments in the postal market seen since December 2008.
ANACOM announces decision to initiate the procedure for amending Regulation no. 38/2004 of 29 September, which establishes the procedures governing the collection and disbursement to municipalities of the TMDP - Taxa Municipal de Direitos de Passagem (Municipal Fee for Rights of Way), bringing it into line with the legislative changes laid down in Law no. 127/2015 of 3 September.
Entry into force, on 29 December, of Regulation of the EP and Council which determines the end of roaming tariffs within the EU and open access to the Internet.

November

ANACOM approves the value of t2 contributory percentage to be applied to revenues from postal services for 2015.
ANACOM approves the value of t2 rate payable by suppliers of electronic communication networks and services with respect to 2015.
In the context of the "Connecting Europe Facility", EC issues a call for proposals with a view to providing support to projects which address the interoperability, interconnection and development of trans-European digital infrastructures.
ANACOM orders MEO -Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia (MEO) to arrange repetition of a part of the information campaign provided for in the contract concluded between the company and the Portuguese State, to ensure provision of the universal service provision of a comprehensive telephone directory and a comprehensive telephone directory enquiry service.
ANACOM launches consultation on the renewal of rights of use of frequencies allocated to NOS, MEO and Vodafone Portugal in 2100 MHz band for terrestrial electronic communications services.
ANACOM approves the definitive terms of endorsements to rights of use of frequencies allocated in the 2100 MHz band for terrestrial electronic communications services.
ANACOM approves final decision on the conclusions of the thorough investigation into the costs and revenues of the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service provided by MEO.
ANACOM approves draft final decision for notification to the EC, BEREC and the national regulatory authorities of the other EU Member States on the wholesale broadcasting market for delivery of content to end-users (market 18).
Publication of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1984 of 3 November, defining the circumstances, formats and procedures of notification pursuant to Article 9(5) of Regulation (EU) no. 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market.
In the context of the "Connecting Europe Facility", EC issues a call for proposals with a view to providing support to projects which address the interoperability, interconnection and development of trans-European digital infrastructures.
EC launches public consultation on the eGovernment Action Plan for 2016-2020, one of the essential measures to complete the Digital Single Market.
ANACOM approves draft final decision for notification to the EC, BEREC and the national regulatory authorities of the other EU Member States on MEO's cost of capital rate, as applicable to 2015 financial year.
ANACOM releases publication "The communications market in the national economy (2010-2014)" is available and presents the market perspective evolution of the communications market in the Portuguese economy between 2010 and 2014.
ANACOM imposes DTT reporting obligations on MEO.

October

Publication of Decree-Law no. 248/2015 of 28 October, making the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 272/98 of 2 September, which established the regime for the installation and operation of the Radio Data System (RDS) for radio broadcasting operators.
EP approves the Regulation determining the end of roaming tariffs within the European Union and open access to the Internet.
RSPG opens public consultation on draft report on the allocation and efficient use of the spectrum, draft opinion on the review of the radio spectrum policy programme in the EU, which includes recommendations for the 700 MHz, 1452-1492 MHz and 2.3-2.4 GHz frequency bands, and update of the work programme for the coming years.
EC publishes three studies on broadband in the European territory - coverage (data from 2014), price (information referring to February 2015) and quality of service (measurements taken in October 2014).
MEO makes information available on the DTT website about where DTT coverage has been changed to DTH coverage, including a file structured by district/municipality/parish/locality, which includes the history of coverage changes from DTT to DTH since 2012, and the date on which this information was changed.
Publication of Administrative Rule no. 377/2015 of 21 October, approving the specific requirements for the certification of trainers of ITED-ITUR designers and installers.
ANACOM approves amendment to the rights of use of frequencies allocated in the 2100 MHz band for terrestrial electronic communications services.
ANACOM releases Multi-Year Activities Plan for the 2016-2018 period.
ANACOM launches consultation on the results of the auditing of the net costs of universal service reported by MEO, in respect of the 2013 financial year.
Publication, on 14 October, of Order no. 11483/2015, declaring the dissolution of the FCM - Fundação para as Comunicações Móveis (Mobile Communications Foundation).
ANACOM announces that it has received 27,397 complaints in the 1st half 2015 about electronic communications services, 19.6% fewer than the number recorded in the previous six months and 14.5% fewer than in the 1st half 2014.
ANACOM decides on non-imposition of a measure on MEO seeking submission of a plan for the installation of the principal multi-frequency (MFA) transmitters on the DTT network, pursuant to the decision of 11 September 2014.
ANACOM approves the definition of terrestrial coverage obligations and the amendment of right of use of frequencies allocated to MEO within the context of DTT.
EC holds public hearing on the evaluation and the review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services.
EU Council of Ministers in charge of competitiveness approves new rules, in first reading, to end mobile roaming prices in Europe from mid-2017 and the first provisions to safeguard free access to the Internet.

September

Represented by ANACOM, Portugal takes over chair of the Committee for ITU Policy, which is part of the CEPT. Following the current tripartite presidency model, ANACOM also took over co-presidency of the CEPT.
European Commission launches public consultation seeking to identify ways of simplifying payment of value added tax on cross-border e-commerce transactions in the European Union.
Publication on 23 September of Decree-Law no. 205/2015, making the first amendment to Decree-Law no 57/2008 of 26 March, which establishes the legal regime applicable to unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices occurring prior to, during, or following a commercial transaction involving a product or service, and clarifying transposition of Directive no. 2005/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005 into national legislation.
Publication on 24 September of Regulatory Decree no. 18/2015, repealing Decree no. 118/77 of 13 September, and Regulatory Decree no. 41/78 of 15 November, which determined the existence of radio easements in areas neighbouring the radio centre formed by the Vendas Novas receiving station, when it belonged to Companhia Portuguesa Rádio Marconi.
European Commission launches public consultations in context of the digital single market (Digital Single Market - DSM) on:

- regulatory environment for online platforms, data, cloud computing and collaborative economy;
- geo-blocking and other commercial barriers to buying and selling products and information access in the European Union;
- standards for the digital single market;
- coordination of certain provisions concerning copyright and related rights applicable to satellite broadcasting and cable retransmission, pursuant to Directive 93/83/EEC of 27 September 1993;
- Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 concerning the provision of audiovisual media services;
- future of the regulatory framework for electronic communications in Europe;
- Internet speed and quality beyond 2020.
ANACOM approves final decision on the results of the auditing of the net costs of the universal service reported by MEO for the year 2012.
Publication on 10 September of Law no. 149/2015, making the first amendment to Law no. 35/2012 of 23 August, on the establishment of the electronic communications universal service compensation fund set up to finance the net costs of providing the universal service as under Lei das Comunicações Eletrónicas (Electronic Communications Law).
Publication on 8 September of Law no. 144/2015, transposing Directive 2013/11/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes, establishing the legal framework governing out of court settlements of consumer disputes and repealing Decree-Law no. 146/99 of 4 May and Decree-Law no. 60/2011 of 6 May.
Publication on 3 September of Law no. 127/2015 amending article 106 (fees for rights of way) of Law no. 5/2004 of 10 February, corresponding to the tenth Amendment of Lei das Comunicações Eletrónicas (Electronic Communications Law).

August

ANACOM submits a draft decision to consultation on MEO's cost of capital rate (applicable to 2015 period).
ANACOM approves final decisions on i) the wholesale markets of voice call termination on individual mobile networks and definition of product and geographic markets, assessment of significant market power and imposition, maintenance, amendment or withdrawal of regulatory obligations and on (ii) the mobile termination costing model - specification of obligation to control prices.
ANACOM publishes studies evaluating voice services, data services and mobile network coverage provided by MEO, NOS and Vodafone Portugal, in major urban centres and along main roads, of mainland Portugal (30 September - 3 December 2014) and of the municipalities of Odemira and Vila Flor (September 2014).

July

Publication on 29 July of Law no. 78/2015, which governs the promotion of transparency in the ownership, management and financial resources of undertakings pursuing social communication activities, amending Lei de Imprensa (Press Law), Lei da Televisão (Television Law) and Lei da Rádio (Radio Law).
With regard to the activity of supplier of publicly available electronic communication services and networks, ANACOM approves i) reimbursement of the sum of 446,687 euros to the various providers, resulting from a reduction in regulation costs related to the settlement of 2014 fees, due to a reversal of provisions; ii) calculation of regulation costs in respect of fees payable in 2015, amounting to 27,820,613 euros.
ANACOM approves calculation of the costs of regulating the activity of provider of postal services, as regards the fees payable in 2015, amounting to 2,388,359 euros.
ANACOM approves provisional and urgent measures with respect to wholesale high-quality access provided at a fixed location (wholesale leased lines).
ANACOM submits a draft decision to public consultation on the wholesale broadcasting market for delivery of content to end-users, concerning the definition of product and geographic markets, assessment of significant market power and imposition, maintenance, amendment or withdrawal of regulatory obligations.
ANACOM submits a draft decision to public consultation on the conclusions of the thorough investigation into the costs and revenues of the DTT service provided by MEO.
ANACOM approves the public consultation report on the strategic guidelines for the 2016-2018 multi-annual activities plan.
ANACOM approves the final decision on the methodology to be used for calculating the net cost of universal service to apply in 2014.
Council of Ministers appoints Isabel Maria Guimarães de Oliveira Rodrigues de Areia as a Member of the Board of Directors of ANACOM, for a term of six years.
ANACOM approves the final decision on the operating margins of the telex, telegraph, terrestrial broadcasting and maritime mobile services, following auditing of the restated results of the cost accounting system used by MEO for the 2013 financial year.
ANACOM approves the final decision on the reimbursement of costs incurred by end-users with DTH coverage (satellite reception) who have requested or who may request a visit from an installer in the context of MEO's communication plan implemented following the installation of the 4 new multi-frequency network stations - reimbursement to be requested by 31 October 2015.
ANACOM publishes study on the satisfaction of its external customers, specifically as regards ITED-ITUR designers and installers and users of the requests service.
ANACOM publishes study on the development of the postal sector in Portugal (business segment).
ANACOM approves amendment of the decision on the transfer to MEO of the rights of use of numbering held by PT Prime.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the definition of terrestrial coverage obligations to be included in right of use of frequencies ICP-ANACOM no. 06/2008 granted to MEO in the context of digital terrestrial television.
European Commission releases 19th implementation report on electronic communication and regulation in the European Union in 2013 and 2014.

June

ANACOM launches consultation on the results of the audits on the net costs of universal service presented by MEO with reference to 2012.
European Commission launches public consultation on the contractual rules governing online purchases of digital content and tangible goods.
Publication on 19 June of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 42-B/2015, which determines that the contributions to the information society of each mobile operator, in the context of the projects to which they were committed under the respective UMTS licences, are accomplished, and which also defines application of ANACOM's net profits in respect of the 2010 2011, 2012 and 2013 financial years.
ANACOM launches consultation on the amendment of the right of use of frequencies in the 2100 MHz band allocated to Vodafone Portugal for the provision of terrestrial electronic communication services, following a request to extend its expiration from 11 January 2016 to 5 May 2018.
European Commission publishes results of the public consultation on the ''Lamy Report '' on the Ultra High Frequency band. .
Publication on 12 June of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 36/2015, approving the national cyberspace security strategy.
ANACOM launches consultation on the methodology to be used for calculating the net cost of universal service applicable in 2014.
ANACOM approves the report on the 2014 financial year as regards administrative costs and the amount of fees payable, calculated based on the costs of regulating the activity of provider of postal services, as well as reimbursement to suppliers of electronic communications network and services of 1,660,690 euros, due to a reduction in regulation costs for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 following reversal of provisions.
ANACOM launches consultation on the results of the audits on the net costs of universal service presented by MEO with reference to 2012.
Approval on 11 June and publication on 19 June of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 42-B/2015, which determines that the contributions to the information society made by each mobile operator, in the context of the projects undertaken under the respective UMTS licence, are already accomplished and which defines the application of the net profits reported by ANACOM for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Approval on 28 May and publication on 12 June of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 36/2015 approving the national cyberspace security strategy.
European Commission publishes results of the "Lamy Report" Public Consultation on the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band.
ANACOM launches consultation on the draft methodology to be used for calculating the net costs of universal service to be applied in 2014.
ANACOM approves report of 2014 financial period on administrative costs and the amount of fees to be charged, the calculation of the costs of regulating the activity of provider of postal services, and reimbursement of 1,660,690 euros to suppliers of electronic communications networks and services, following the reduction in regulation costs in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 resulting from the cancellation of provisions.

May

ANACOM launches consultation on the determination of reference speeds associated with the coverage obligations in the 800 MHz frequency band for each of the companies subject thereto, i.e. MEO, NOS and Vodafone Portugal, under the terms and conditions imposed subsequent to the corresponding auction (Regulation no. 560-A/2011 of 19 October).
Publication on 22 May of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 32-B/2015, which determines award, following a public tender, of the universal service provision of a comprehensive telephone directory and a comprehensive directory enquiry service to MEO.
Portugal, represented by ANACOM, is appointed Chair of the European Communications Office (ECO) Council.
ANACOM approves a revision of the settlement of fees due in respect of the activity of supplier of publicly available electronic communication services, in respect of 2014.
ANACOM approves report on the public consultation on the strategic guidelines for the Multi-Annual Activities Plan 2016-2018.
ANACOM approves an amendment to the decision on the transfer to Optimus - Comunicações of rights of use of numbering held by Zon TV Cabo Portugal.
ANACOM makes a new tool available to look up monitoring actions, based on the results obtained from the various DTT signal monitoring actions in which there was direct intervention by ANACOM's technical teams.
European Commission (EC) adopts decision to make spectrum in the 1452-1492 MHz band available for wireless broadband under harmonised technical conditions. This spectrum could be used for advanced mobile services such as audiovisual streaming and high-speed downloads.
European Commission (EC) adopts strategy for the digital single market, which sets out 16 initiatives based on three pillars: (i) better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services across Europe; (ii) creating the right conditions and a level playing field for digital networks and innovative services to flourish; (iii) maximising the growth potential of the digital economy.

April

Publication of Notice no. 4582/2015 on 28 April concerning the declarations attesting to the compliance of MEO's SCA - sistema de contabilidade analítica (analytical accounting system) with applicable regulations, with reference to the 2010, 2011 and 2012.
ANACOM launches a public consultation to sound out the market on the use to be given to spectrum available in the 3.4-3.8 GHz frequency band; this spectrum is apt for use by high-speed wireless broadband networks, which will allow the provision of innovative electronic communications services.
Publication of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 22/2015, making changes to Digital Agenda Portugal, defining the extension of measures until 2020.
ANACOM approves report on the public consultation on the strategic guidelines for the Multi-Annual Activities Plan 2016-2018.
Publication of Notice no. 4245/2015, published on 20 April, on the quality of service levels of the universal postal service and the responses to complaints and requests for information provided by CTT in 2014.
ANACOM launches public consultation concerning (i) the wholesale markets of voice call termination on individual mobile networks and definition of product and geographic markets, assessment of significant market power (SMP) and imposition, maintenance, amendment or withdrawal of regulatory obligations and (ii) the mobile termination costing model - specification of obligation to control prices.
ANACOM approved the final decision on the operating margins of the telex, telegraph, terrestrial broadcasting and mobile maritime services of MEO, with reference to the 2012 financial year.
Entry into force on 1 April, of the Statutes of ANACOM, approved by Decree-Law no. 39/2015 of 16 March, which expressly enshrine that ANACOM is an independent administrative body, in addition to being the national regulatory authority (NRA) for communications for the purposes of the law of the European Union (EU) and national legislation.

March

Publication of Regulation no. 144/2015 of 25 March, concerning radio licensing, establishing the station categories which, forming part of a radio network, require licensing, and the radio licensing procedure.
ANACOM approves the final decision on fixing the minimum value and target value for the quality of service indicator, registered mail transit time (QSI11) at 89% and 91% respectively, to apply in 2016 and 2017.
ANACOM approves renewal of the temporary digital terrestrial television (DTT) network licence assigned to MEO under the terms established in ANACOM's decision of 11 September 2014, for a period of 180 days, with effect from 15 March 2015. MEO was also ordered to reimburse the costs incurred by end-users with DTH coverage (satellite reception) who have requested or subsequently request a visit from an installer, following receipt of the letter sent pursuant to MEO's communication plan.
Publication of Decree-Law no. 39/2015 of 16 March, approving the Statutes of Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações, formerly ICP - Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações, in accordance with the legal regime laid down by Law no. 67/2013 of 28 August, which approved the framework law for independent administrative entities.
ANACOM approves evaluation procedures as regards ITED (3rd edition) and ITUR (2nd edition) manuals.
ANACOM has over 20,000 followers on Twitter.

February

ANACOM implements Decision 2014/641/EU of 1 September 2014 on harmonised technical conditions of radio spectrum use by wireless audio programme making and special events (PMSE) equipment in the European Union (EU).
ANACOM launches consultation on draft common terminology in pre-contractual and contractual information for electronic communications.
Government launches public tender to contract the universal service provision of a comprehensive telephone directory and of a comprehensive telephone directory enquiry service.
ANACOM enhances COM.escolha tariff comparison tool with the addition of new features: mobile service tariffs now also include the mobile phone Internet access service; specific configuration for certain mobile phone tariffs; installation/activation and mandatory equipment purchase/rental costs considered in the calculation of costs presented in the consultation and simulation results, and also indicated on the detail page of each tariff; presentation of information on costs incurred when customers terminate contracts; an improvement in the characterisation of information on technology in the television service and in bundles with television.
ANACOM does not oppose the proposal of a new tariff for the universal postal service presented by CTT - new prices, applicable to correspondence and parcels, and to the service of legal summons and notifications by post, taking effect from 1 March 2015, while prices for sending books, newspapers and periodicals take effect from 1 June 2015.
ANACOM implements Decision 2014/702/EU of 7 October 2014, according to information available on eQNAF - Frequency Website. This European Commission Decision amended Decision 2007/131/EC of 21 February 2007 on allowing the use of the radio spectrum for equipment using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology in a harmonised manner in the Community.

January

ANACOM approves amendment on conditions and requirements governing provision of a comprehensive telephone directory and a comprehensive telephone directory enquiries service.
ANACOM approves decision on the identification of undertakings required to contribute to the compensation fund of the universal service of electronic communications and setting the value of the extraordinary contributions, as regards the CLSU - custos líquidos do serviço universal (net costs of universal service) to be compensated for the 2007-2009 period.
ANACOM approves a revision of the settlement of fees due in respect of the activity of supplier of publicly available electronic communication services for 2011 and 2012.
ANACOM approves new planning and execution responsibility declaration models, with regard to ITED - infraestruturas de telecomunicações em edifícios (telecommunications infrastructure in buildings) and ITUR - infraestruturas de telecomunicações em loteamentos, urbanizações e conjuntos de edifícios (telecommunications infrastructure in housing developments, urban settlements and concentrations of buildings), as amended and adapted following the adoption and entry into force of the new ITED (3rd edition) and ITUR (2nd edition) manuals.
CTT - Correios de Portugal (CTT) publishes information on its website about postal agencies in accordance with ANACOM's decision on the disclosure of information about postal establishments.
ANACOM launches public consultation on draft evaluation procedures as regards ITED (3rd edition) and ITUR (2nd edition) manuals.
eQNAF - ANACOM Frequencies Website ANACOM reports 17,634 views from over 2400 sessions in its first year of operation.
European Commission launches public consultation on the strategic recommendations proposed in the Lamy report on the future use of spectrum in the 470-790 MHz band.
Publication of Decree-Law no. 2/2015 on 6 January, enacting the second amendment to Decree-Law no. 195/99 of 8 June, extending the deadline for the submission of applications for restitution to consumers of the value of deposits in relation to certain essential public services and establishing additional requirements for these service providers as regards the disclosure of information to consumers who have not received reimbursement of said deposits.
Fátima Barros, ANACOM Chair, takes over as Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC).