Between January and July, ANACOM carried out 30 enforcement actions in cooperation with the Polícia Judiciária (Criminal Police), PSP (Public Security Police), GNR (National Republican Guard), Autoridade Marítima (Maritime Authority), ASAE (Food and Economic Safety Authority), SEF - Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Immigration and Borders Service), Autoridade Tributária (Tax Authority), Social Security and ANAC.
The enforcement actions, which involved a total of 83 staff, entailed analysis of various sectors. In the communications sector, a key action involved technical follow-up of measures undertaken to comply with search warrants, specifically an action performed in conjunction with the Criminal Police in July, in an operation to combat card-sharing in Braga. This action involved 20 ANACOM staff among a total of 90 agents. The equipment seized as a result of this procedure will be the object of expert examinations by ANACOM.
Similar actions were also carried out with the Criminal Police in Coimbra and Aveiro.
In the transport sector, more than 100 radiocommunication network devices were checked, involving equipment used on recreational, maritime-tourist and fishing vessels and on heavy goods vehicles. Actions were also carried out in ports and harbours throughout Portugal: Viana do Castelo, Caminha, Douro, Póvoa de Varzim, Leixões, Aveiro, Nazaré, Sines, Setúbal, Funchal and Ponta Delgada (marinas of Ponta Delgada, Vila Franca do Campo and fishing ports of Ponta Delgada, Lagoa, Vila Franca do Campo and Ribeira Quente). These actions, carried out in conjunction with the Maritime Police, uncovered unlawful equipment and devices using channels operating outside the mobile maritime service.
As part of the roadside checks carried out with the GNR and the ASAE, the radio equipment on heavy goods vehicles was checked to ensure that it was being used in accordance with applicable rules.
Work also involved analysis of systems for the detection and inhibition of aerial drones in partnership with ANAC, evaluating technological risk.
In actions performed with SEF, ACT, PSP and Social Security, especially targeting nightclubs, ANACOM checked the use of any radiocommunication networks and their lawfulness. A number of irregularities were detected.
These enforcement actions were aimed at ensuring the proper use of the radio spectrum (authorised frequencies) and the lawfulness of the equipment comprising the respective radiocommunications stations and/or networks installed onboard vessels, in vehicles and in establishments with public access; this preventive work eliminates/reduces situations which cause interference to communications networks which are duly licensed by operators, companies and citizens.
The list of stations and networks which ANACOM works to protect includes all those which, directly or indirectly, play an important role in the safeguarding of human life, such as those used by emergency services, air traffic control and navigation (on which all civil and military aviation depends), as well as search and rescue activities (on sea and land).
