Electronic communications are essential in modern society. On the day we celebrate telecommunications and the information society, ANACOM presents a picture of communications in Portugal in 2022 and how they compare with the European Union (EU).
In 2022, 88% of Portuguese households had fixed or mobile internet access (93% EU). Portugal was the 4th EU country with the highest proportion of fixed ultrafast broadband accesses (advertised download speed of 100 Mbps or more). 95% of enterprises used fixed broadband (94% EU) and mobile broadband accounted for 86%, with Portugal reaching the European average that year.
In terms of the use of over-the-top services (Internet-based communications), Portugal was ahead of the EU for instant messaging (78% in PT, 72% in EU) and voice and video calls (69% in PT, 66% in EU), as well as for other services such as social networking (67% in PT, 58% in EU) and the use of online learning materials (27% in PT, 21% in EU). Use of internet banking in Portugal (57%) was close to the EU average (60%).
Among the Internet of Things (IoT) devices analysed, Portugal was ahead of the EU (28% in PT, 25% in EU) in the use of personal devices with Internet access, such as smart watches, fitness bands, glasses or headphones, GPS tracking devices, clothing, shoes or accessories.
In terms of e-commerce, the proportion of individuals in Portugal who have shopped/ordered online is close to the EU average (43% in PT, 56% in the EU). Nevertheless, 25% of Portuguese have never bought anything online (Portugal ranks 5th in the EU).
