Portugal showed the largest increase in prices for telecommunications in the European Union.

Telecommunications prices in Portugal rose 4.8% in February, the biggest monthly increase in 27 years. Conclusion of the industry regulator (Anacom) based on the consumer price index (IPC).

Comparing price performance to February 2022, they are up 3.9%, the highest positive change since December 2016.

“Considering only the growth that occurred in 2023 (January and February), Portugal recorded the highest increase in telecommunications prices in the European Union (+ 5.1%),” emphasizes the organization led by Cadete de Matos. Taking into account the average of the last 12 months, when they rose by 1.7%, it ranked “the 10th largest price change among EU countries.” The country with the largest price increase was Poland (+4.9%), while the largest decline occurred in the Netherlands (-3.9%).

Based on data published by Eurostat, Anacom also highlights that from the end of 2009 to February 2023, prices in Portugal increased by 13.2%, while in the EU they decreased by 8.8%.

For Anacom, “this evolution confirms the existing lack of competition in the market, reinforced by the loyalty regime in Portugal, which has not led to low prices. landmarksis one of the countries in the European Union (EU) where the price of electronic communications has risen the most.” the right to choose and change consumers.

Anacom’s statement also notes that Portugal is not just one of the EU countries where prices have risen the most. “It’s also one of the countries where services are paid the most.”

According to an international price comparison study published by Rewheel, “Digital Fuel Monitor”, in early 2023, “the median price per gigabyte of Internet offers on mobile phones in Portugal was the 2nd highest in the EU and 4th highest among 50 countries” . analyzed countries.

And after analyzing the services provided by the operators present in Portugal – Meo, Nos, Nowo and Vodafone – he came to the conclusion that “in February, the minimum monthly payments are offered by Nowo in eight cases out of a range of 13 services/offers, while Meo and Vodafone had the lowest monthly fees for four and two types of services/offers, respectively.” “Year-on-year, there were 29 ups and eight downs,” adds Anacom.

Relative to February 2022 and by vendor, “Meo increased the monthly fee for seven services/offers and reduced the monthly fee for one service/offer (Uzo’s first monthly fee offer)”.

Nos “also reduced the subscription fee for the service/offer (changing the subscription fee for the FTS Plano Poupança Fixo offer) by increasing the subscription fee for ten services/offers”. In turn, “Vodafone increased the minimum monthly fee for 12 services/offers” and Nowo “reduced the monthly fee for six services/offers (increasing the value of the discount during the first 6 months of the Nowo offer)”.