Telecommunications industry in Portugal - statistics & facts

Telecommunications have become an increasingly important industry in modern society, allowing long-distance interaction and digital leisure activities. The amplification of the digital medium is noticed throughout the globe, and Portugal is no exception, as the internet is the most sought-after individual telecommunication service in the country. In 2022, the telecommunications sector generated a revenue of over 3.7 billion euros, the majority of which derived from service packages that included internet access. However, mobile telephony has the highest penetration rate in Portugal, which points to the population's attraction to this service.

Mobile connections have surpassed fixed-line connections in Portugal

Smartphones surpass fixed telephones in volume, but Portugal’s aged population leads to the perpetuation of fixed-line telephony’s importance, as happens in the rest of Europe. The number of cellular mobile connections has been continuously rising, reaching more than 14 million at the end of 2023. However, mobile phones are becoming less a medium for voice communication and more a form of written connection and entertainment. This leads to the growing use of mobile internet, which also prompts the rise of fixed-line internet access.

Twice as many mobile internet users as fixed-line internet users

In 2023, fixed-line internet connections in Portugal surpassed 4.6 million, being higher in households with children. The number of mobile internet users was more than twice the number of fixed-line internet connections, which points to the population’s rising tendency towards having internet access anywhere and at all moments. This interest is reflected in the high prices of mobile data in Portugal, placed among the highest in Western Europe. Even though fixed-line internet surpasses the mobile medium among most enterprises, those belonging to the information and communication sector already register a higher share of mobile connections over fixed-line ones.

Television by subscription and MEO dominate the preferences of Portuguese consumers

Unlike what happened in the United Kingdom and in the United States, the preferred telecommunications service to have included in packages in Portugal is not internet, but television by subscription, namely offers that include 120 to 160 different channels. For all telecommunication services, the operator MEO holds the highest market share in the country, having registered 747 million euros in revenue in 2023. At the same time, MEO accounts for the lowest share of complaints by clients in the telecommunications sector, compared to the other two enterprises that dominate the industry, NOS and Vodafone.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Beatriz Luz, Apr 8, 2024

Key insights

Region of Portugal with highest access to telecommunication services
Lisbon region
Most common type of internet access in Portugal
Fixed internet access
Revenue of telecommunications services in Portugal
3.8bn EUR
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Distribution of mobile connections in Portugal in 2023, by provider and type

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Distribution of mobile connections in Portugal 2023, by provider and type

Share of individuals with access to telecommunication services in Portugal in 2023, by employment situation

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Share of people with access to telecom services in Portugal 2023, by employment

Reasons for purchasing electronic products in Portugal in 2022

Consumer Electronics

Reasons for purchasing electronic products in Portugal 2022

Related topics

Telecommunications in Europe

3

Telephony

3

Internet

3

Recommended statistics

Overview

10

Overview

Fixed-line telephony

4

Fixed-line telephony

Mobile telephony

5

Mobile telephony

Fixed-line internet

5

Fixed-line internet

Mobile internet

10

Mobile internet

Pay TV and bundles

7

Pay TV and bundles

Leading companies

3

Leading companies

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