In March 2024, telecommunications prices, as measured by the relevant Consumer Price Index (CPI) group, increased by 1.1% on the previous month, due to changes introduced by providers affecting bundled offers and mobile services.
Compared with the same month last year, telecommunications prices rose by 6.6%. This was 4.3 p.p. (percentage points) more than the CPI (2.3%). It should be remembered that ANACOM has recommended that providers limit price increases for 2024.
The average rate of change in telecommunications prices over the last twelve months was 5.0%, 2.1 p.p. higher than the CPI (2.9%). This was the highest rate since December 1996.
In terms of services, the average rate of change over the last twelve months in Portugal was 6.3% for bundled services and 4.1% for mobile services, according to Eurostat data.
In international terms, the average rate of change of telecom prices in Portugal over the last twelve months was 3.8 p.p. higher than in the European Union, where the rate was 1.2%. Portugal recorded the 3rd highest price change (25th lowest) among the EU27 countries. The highest price increase was observed in Hungary (+11.9%), while the largest decrease was recorded in Malta (-6.5%).
On a sub-group basis, the average rates of change over the last 12 months for bundled services and mobile services in Portugal were 3.4 p.p. and 4.7 p.p. respectively above the EU average.
From a long-term perspective and in cumulative terms, telecommunications prices have increased by 22.7% since the end of 2009, while CPI has increased by 30.5%. However, over that same period, telecommunications prices in the EU decreased by 8.0%.
On an operator basis, the lowest monthly charges were offered by NOWO in seven cases across a range of 11 services/offers, while MEO and Vodafone each had the lowest monthly charges for two types of service/offer.
For example, NOWO had the lowest minimum monthly charge for the standalone mobile service (EUR 6.25) and for the triple-play (EUR 22.5) and quadruple-play (EUR 30) bundles, while Vodafone had the lowest minimum monthly charge for the quintuple-play offer (EUR 62.70).
Consult the statistical report:
- Trends in telecommunications prices - March 2024 https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1780481
