The number of loops unbundled by alternative operators has reached 108 thousand accesses in the first quarter of this year, an increase by 51% compared with the previous quarter, as in December 2005 there were 72 thousand unbundled loops. These figures demonstrate the strong dynamism of the national telecommunications market, and the clear investment made by operators other than Portugal Telecom as regards offers with a more direct access to end customers. They also convey an improvement of regulatory conditions operated by ANACOM, which has clearly led to a decrease in barriers to the access to the basic telecommunications network.
In parallel with the increase of the number of unbundled loops, the number of operators interested in reaching the end customer directly, amounting currently to six, is growing as well. Likewise, the number of exchanges where operators are co-installed has increased in the first quarter of this year, reaching now 187 exchanges.
These data, which point towards an increased competition in the broadband market, are the result of a set of improvements made by the sector regulatory authority, ANACOM - National Communications Authority, to regulatory conditions throughout 2005. This year, the fall in prices of the local loop rent, determined by the regulatory authority last week, will contribute towards an increase of the unbundled access installations. In spite of having been decided last week, the new prices take effect as from 1 January this year.
According to the determination issued by ANACOM, the monthly local loop price, in the full access modality, amounts now to 8,99 euros, against the previous 9,72 euros. In the shared access modality, the monthly charge is of 2,51 euros, against the 2,95 in force in 2005.
The regulatory authority has decided to retain unchanged the loop installation price, which will still be charged 38 euros. A competitive price, compared to prices in force in EU 15 concerning the local loop installation in the full access and shared access modalities, as it is the fourth lowest price in EU of Fifteen.
As regards the monthly local loop charge, in the full access modality, of 8,99 euros, it is also in line with the lowest prices of the European Union.
The price defined by the regulatory authority for the monthly local loop price is more than 16% lower than the price defined by the regulatory authority for the SLRO - Subscriber Line Resale Offer, a difference which aims to encourage business models based on the investment in infrastructure; and almost 30% lower than the monthly subscription price charged by PT to customers.
Consult:
- LLU prices in force as from 1 January 2006 https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=355365
