Clarification on data released on Portugal Telecom's triple play customers

ANACOM - Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações has reported a disparity in figures reported by Portugal Telecom in relation to the operator's triple play customers in the first quarter of this year.  The disparity has emerged between data released by Portugal Telecom in a statement posted on its website and in the media and the data which the operator reported to this Authority for the same period.

After PT was contacted for clarification, it was found that the operator followed different criteria when determining the number of Meo's triple play customers in the period in question.

In information sent to ANACOM on 30 April, referring to the first quarter, the operator reported 665,244 triple-play customers, using the prevailing definition of triple-play which entails the existence of a commercial offer from a single operator comprising three services, sold as a single offer and with a single bill - which is the definition used by the European Commission (EC) and by ANACOM.

Meanwhile, in information released to the media, on its website and in a statement sent to CMVM (Portuguese Securities Market Commission) on 4 June, Portugal Telecom claimed to have 728 thousand customers. The difference, compared to the 665,244 customers reported to ANACOM, stems from the accounting criteria adopted; in the information provided to CMVM, PT considers Meo's triple play customers as those "who have subscribed to three services provided by a single operator, where associated with a single customer account, whether or not offered as a bundle. Services may be provided under different brands".

In the information released by PT, the operator claimed that Meo's 728 thousand customers gave it leadership of the triple play market. Since the criteria used by the operator are different from those used when reporting information to ANACOM, this Authority has made it clear that it is unable to confirm the figures given.

According to data reported to ANACOM, pursuant to the prevailing definition of bundle, as used by ANACOM and by the EC (commercial offer from a single operator comprising three services, sold as a single offer and with a single bill), as at the end of March, Portugal Telecom had 665,244 customers. In the same period, and using the same criteria, ZON was reported to have 715,656 customers.

Considering that the information disseminated by PT is being used in an advertising campaign that highlights that claim of Meo's leadership in triple-play services, ANACOM has referred the issue to Direcção-Geral do Consumidor (Directorate General for the Consumer) as the competent authority in such matters.