Chronology of Communications 2022

Decembre

ANACOM approves draft regulation on the designation of the “49” range of the National Numbering Plan.
ANACOM launches public consultation on making spectrum available in the 700 MHz frequency band (duplex gap and guard bands).
ANACOM approves the Strategic Spectrum Plan.
European Commission launches public consultation on the implementation of the Digital Markets Act.

November

ANACOM approves the value of the t2 contribution rate (0.8773%) to be applied to the relevant income of providers of electronic communications networks and services, for 2022.
The Digital Europe Programme launches calls for proposals in the area of cybersecurity, with the aim of enabling Member States to build a coordinated response capacity to large-scale cybersecurity incidents.
ANACOM launches consultation on zero-rating and similar offers in Portugal in the context of the Open Internet.
ANACOM approves final decision on amendments to the Reference Duct Access Offer (RDAO) and Reference Poles Access Offer (RPAO) provided by MEO - Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia (MEO).
Entry into force, on 16 November, of the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1732155).
Entry into force, on 14 November, of the new Electronic Communications Law (LCE).
Publication of Council of Ministers Resolution No 106/2022, of 2 November, approving the National Cybersecurity Strategy.
ANACOM adopts Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) decision on fixed satellite service.

October

ANACOM approves the declaration of conformity for the 2019 financial year of CTT’s cost accounting system with the applicable legal and regulatory provisions.
ANACOM recommends that providers of publicly available electronic communications services mitigate the impact of the rising cost of living on access to electronic communications services.
ANACOM launches consultation on the deployment of very high capacity public electronic communications networks in “white areas”, using public funding, namely from the European Union.
The Government begins the procedure to draft an administrative rule establishing the technical specifications of the information to be uploaded onto the platform and the information to be provided by operators of electronic communications networks, as set out in Decree-Law No 40/2022 , of 6 June, which establishes the coverage map of electronic communications networks.
The Government opens the procedure to draft an administrative rule that sets the general conditions and criteria for the compensation due to holders of DTT and SAB/SAP network licences that operated in the 700 MHz band, for charges arising from the release of the radioelectric channels and frequencies that were assigned to them.
ANACOM issues rights of use for frequencies to Quarteto das Letras.
Publication, on 17 October, of Administrative Rule No 716/2022https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1733365, which sets out the conditions and general criteria for compensation due to holders of rights of use for frequencies in the 1800 MHz band for costs incurred with the amendment of the radio spectrum assignment in that frequency band.
ANACOM allocates rights of use for numbers to DIGI Portugal.
ANACOM approves MEO’s cost of capital rate for financial year 2022.
ANACOM approves prices charged by MEO to television operators for the provision of encoding, multiplexing, carrying and broadcasting services over the DTT network of free-to-air unrestricted access television channels (MUX A).
Publication, on 19 October, of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Councilhttps://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1732155, on a single market for digital services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act).
European Commission launches second call under the digital strand of the Connecting Europe Facility 2 (CEF2).

September

ANACOM approves the recovery of rights of use for numbers 68986 and 68987 allocated to Binbit Portugal.
European Commission launches public consultation on consumer protection.
ANACOM launches information campaign on the benefits and deadlines for requesting the installation of macro base stations and outdoor small cells by organisations covered by the 5G Auction Regulation.
ANACOM publishes guide on the impact of mobile networks on health and the environment.
ANACOM approves market consultation report on interest in making spectrum available in the 1500 MHz band for terrestrial electronic communications service.
ANACOM launches consultation on the strategic spectrum plan.
ANACOM issues on 2 September a right of use for numbers to BNP Paribas Personal Finance.

August

ANACOM approves decision on the transfer of a right of use of frequencies from Match FM to Goal News FM Radio.
ANACOM approves decision on the launch of the procedure to amend the Regulation on the provision of statistical information.
Publication, on 16 August, of Law No 16/2022 approving the new Electronic Communications Law, transposing Directives 98/84/EC, 2002/77/EC and (EU) 2018/1972, amending Laws No 41/2004, of 18 August, and 99/2009, of 4 September, and Decree-Laws No 151-A/2000, of 20 July, and No 24/2014, of 14 February, and repealing Law No 5/2004, of 10 February, and Administrative Rule No 791/98, of 22 September.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the strategic guidelines for 2023-2025.
ANACOM approves an amendment to the terrestrial electronic communications service network radio licences granted to MEO, NOS and Vodafone Portugal, to bring the respective dates of validity into line with the expiry date of the right of use for frequencies (RUF) granted to these companies in the 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands and the RUF granted to Vodafone in the 900 MHz band, i.e. 9 March 2027.
ANACOM launches consultation on the draft regulation on the methodology to be used for calculating the net costs of providing the broadband Internet social tariff.
The British Marine Management Organisation launches a public consultation on the project to launch the Virgin Orbit rocket from Spaceport Cornwall (UK), which will affect the waters off the coast of Portugal.

July

ANACOM allocates rights of use for numbers to Orange Business Portugal and Vodafone Portugal.
ANACOM approves draft regulation on the methodology for calculating the net costs of providing the broadband Internet social tariff.
ANACOM determines the reduction of maximum monthly prices of the Reference Duct Access Offer (RDAO) and Reference Poles Access Offer (RPAO), respectively by 35% and 20%.
ANACOM approves the calculation of the sum of costs incurred in regulating the activity of provider of electronic communications networks and services, relating to fees to be settled in 2022, totalling EUR 39 579 508.
ANACOM approves the calculation of the sum of costs incurred in regulating the activity of postal service provider, relating to the fees to be settled in 2022, totalling EUR 2 574 600.
ANACOM, DGC and CTT sign agreement on the Universal Postal Service Pricing Convention. The Agreement defines the criteria to be followed in setting the prices of postal services that make up the universal service, which will be in force from 2023 to 2025.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the price charged by MEO for the provision of encoding, multiplexing, carrying and broadcasting services over the DTT network of free-to-air unrestricted access television channels (MUX A).
ANACOM approves report of the public consultation on making spectrum available in the 26 GHz frequency band.
ANACOM approves the agreement signed between MEO and Vodafone on the distribution of the 100 civil parishes that each company must cover in order to comply with the additional coverage obligations imposed by the decision of 8 July 2021, which approved the renewal of the rights of use for frequencies in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands allocated to the two companies for terrestrial electronic communications services.
ANACOM launches public consultation on MEO’s cost of capital rate applicable to financial year 2022.
ANACOM approves CTT’s request to deduct mailing records affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for the purposes of calculating quality of service indicators for 2022.
ANACOM releases a first assessment of 5G deployment in Portugal.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the agreement in principle on the Universal Postal Service Pricing Agreement to be concluded between ANACOM, the DGC and CTT.
New roaming rules come into force on 1 July, allowing European consumers to continue using their mobile service in other EU countries at no extra cost until 2032.

June

ANACOM launches public consultation on making spectrum available in the 1500 MHz frequency band.
ANACOM approves the assessment of cross-border single-piece parcel tariffs (2022), in accordance with article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2018/644 on cross-border parcel delivery services and respective notification to the European Commission.
ANACOM grants CTT’s request to change the date of entry into force of ANACOM’s decision of 29 April 2021, amending point 3 on the distribution of postal items to premises other than the home, which now reads as follows: «To determine that the conditions and obligations laid down in this Decision shall apply from 1 January 2023 until the end of the period of validity of the contract concluded by the Portuguese State for the provision of the services constituting the US after the expiry of the current concession.»
EC launches awareness campaign on an electronic tool that allows users to compare parcel delivery rates in the European Union, namely the price to be paid for national or cross-border delivery of a parcel.
BEREC publishes guidelines on the Open Internet drawn up in accordance with paragraph 3 of article 5 of the Open Internet Regulation. The purpose of this document is to assist National Regulatory Authorities in implementing the obligations arising from the aforementioned Regulation, in particular with regard to the obligations to monitor and supervise compliance with the rules safeguarding the fair and non-discriminatory treatment of traffic in the provision of Internet access services and related rights of end users, as set out in articles 3 and 4 of the Regulation.
ANACOM sets at 6.2717% the cost of capital rate of CTT for 2022, applicable to the company’s cost accounting system.
BEREC holds a public consultation on the report on the Internet ecosystem, which presents the results of an analysis of the different elements that make up the ecosystem, with the aim of understanding how these elements and their interactions affect competition and the experience of Internet users.
ANACOM rejects NOS’ request to adopt provisional and urgent measures in the context of the Reference Duct Access Offer (RDAO) and Reference Poles Access Offer (RPAO) provided by MEO.
Publication, on 6 June, of Decree-Law No 40/2022 creating the coverage map for fixed and mobile electronic communications networks.
BEREC launches public consultation on the preliminary version of the new wholesale guidelines provided for in article 3 of the new Roaming Regulation, which comes into force on 1 July 2022.

May

Publication, on 26 May, of Resolution of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores No 20/2022/A, concerning the installation of the new submarine telecommunications cable between the Azores and the mainland.
ANACOM approves CTT’s request to deduct mailing records affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for the purposes of calculating quality of service indicators for 2021.
ANACOM approves the report of the public consultation on the coverage of very high capacity public electronic communications networks and the options for their deployment with public funding in “white areas”.
ANACOM approves a final decision on the revision of prices of circuits connecting Mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira (MAM circuits) and of the prices of circuits connecting various islands of the Azores (inter-island circuits), provided by MEO, within the framework of the leased lines reference offer (LLRO) and the Reference Ethernet Leased Lines Offer (RELLO).
ANACOM approves the final decision on the technical harmonisation of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands.

April

BEREC supports joint actions by Ukrainian and EU operators to ensure affordable connectivity for Ukrainian refugees.
The European Parliament and the European Council (EU) approve the extension of roaming in the EU without additional charges until 2032.
ANACOM launches campaign on social internet tariff.
ANACOM launches consultation on CTT’s request to change the date of entry into force of ANACOM’s decision on the distribution of postal items to premises other than the home.
BEREC launches public consultation on the creation of a numbering database for VAS and emergency services for roaming users.
Publication, on 6 April, of Regulation (EU) 2022/612 of the European Parliament and of the Council, on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (recast).
BEREC launches public consultations on sustainability and the open Internet.
DTT - ANACOM approves solution to overcome lack of coverage in Baião (Silves).
ANACOM allocates right of use for numbers to Orange Business Portugal.
Publication, on 22 March, of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/498, amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/167 as regards harmonised standards for avalanche beacons, satellite earth stations and systems, land mobile earth stations, maritime mobile earth stations, IMT cellular networks equipment, fixed radio systems, digital terrestrial TV transmitters, mobile communication on board aircraft systems, multi Gbps radio equipment, broadcast sound receivers, audio frequency induction loop drivers, primary surveillance radars and TETRA radio equipment.

March

ANACOM inaugurates new monitoring centre in Madeira.
ANACOM approves MEO’s cost of capital rate of 6.2627% for the 2021 financial year.
BEREC supports ISP in implementing sanctions to block RT and Sputnik channels.
ANACOM approves reasoned resolution on the execution of obligations arising from the 5G Auction Regulation.
ANACOM approves final determination on the criterion to be adopted to assess compliance with performance targets associated to quality of service indicators (QSI) of the universal postal service, calculated through samples.
Publication, on 16 March, of Administrative Rule No 115/2022, which regulates the application of ANACOM’s net results for the 2020 financial year.
ANACOM launches consultation on the technical harmonisation of rights of use for frequencies in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.
EC proposes declaration on digital rights and principles for all in the EU.
Publication, on 3 March, of Notice No 4512/2022, which releases the report on the public discussion concerning the preliminary draft Joint Order subjecting to radio servitude the areas adjoining the Radioelectric Centre formed by the Santa Maria geodetic station, which is part of the RAEGE (Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations) project.

February

ANACOM approves a set of decisions on the social Internet tariff, which allow low-income families or those with social needs to subscribe to fixed or mobile broadband Internet services at a reduced rate.
Connecting Europe Facility - Portuguese public and private organisations with digital connectivity investment projects can apply for funding from the European Commission.
Publication, on 8 February, of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/180, amending Decision 2006/771/EC as regards the update of harmonised technical conditions in the area of radio spectrum use for short-range devices.
Publication, on 8 February, of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/179, on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5 GHz frequency band for the implementation of wireless access systems including radio local area networks and repealing Decision 2005/513/EC.
Publication, on 7 February, of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/173, on the harmonisation of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union and repealing Decision 2009/766/EC.
Publication, on 7 February, of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/172, amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1538 on the harmonisation of radio spectrum for use by short-range devices within the 874-876 and 915-921 MHz frequency bands.
Publication, on 7 February, of Decree-Law No 22-A/2022, which amends the legal regime that governs the provision of postal services.
ANACOM approves the review of the value of the t2 contribution rate for 2020, following the receipt of information on the value of the relevant income of Impact Express, Unipessoal, for 2019. The review of the value of the relevant income had an impact on the value of t2, which changed from 0.2732% to 0.2729%.

January

Government and CTT sign new 7-year concession contract for the universal postal service.
Publication, on 28 January, of Decree-Law No 20/2022, which approves the procedures for identifying, designating, protecting and increasing the resilience of national and European critical infrastructures.
Publication, on 10 January, of Law No 7/2022, which establishes a ban on geo-blocking and discriminatory practices in online sales.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the coverage of very high capacity public electronic communications networks and the options for their deployment with public funding in “white areas”.
ANACOM submits to the Government a draft amendment to the Decree-Law that defines the rules applicable to amateur and amateur-satellite radiocommunication services, as well as the legal regime governing the issue of certificates and of special authorisations to amateurs, as well as the licensing of shared use stations.
Publication, on 10 January, of Decree-Law No 8/2022, which defines the competence for the execution of the Recovery and Resilience Plan projects, within the scope of the Integrated System of Portugal’s Emergency and Security Networks.