ADSL - Information to consumers

ANACOM has received several requests for clarification with respect to ADSL services (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), especially about the coverage and the areas of available exchanges on the ADSL network of PT Comunicações (PTC) for the provision of services based on ADSL technology.

Identification of operators who provide broadband Internet access services through ADSL is available on ANACOM’s website, at Internet service - with ADSL accesshttp://www.anacom.pt/template12.jsp?categoryId=99190.

Some of these operators have an application on their websites that allows users to enter their telephone number and so get a preliminary indication of whether it would be possible for them to have access to ADSL services.

It should be noted that even if a customer’s telephone number belongs to a numbering block associated with the ADSL offer, limitations or incompatibilities with existing services may exist; This is because ADSL technology is dependent on the transmission conditions (two copper cables) in the access component (i.e. length, section, maintenance condition, …) and in its surrounding environment (interferences and noise). Such conditions may result in some users facing limitations in the use of the service, even where they are connected to an exchange equipped with DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) - the technology necessary for the provision of ADSL broadband internet access. Therefore, the provision of ADSL services in a certain loop can only be confirmed on a case-by-case basis.

ADSL Technology - Information from internet access service providers:

AR Telecom - Acessos e Redes de Telecomunicações, SA

Residential - Internet Accesshttp://www.artelecom.pt/index.php?p=68 

Professional -Internet Accesshttp://www.artelecom.pt/index.php?p=81

NORTENET - Sistemas de Comunicação, SA

Interacesso Productshttp://www.interacesso.pt/ia_geral_1.php?id=6  

Subcription to ADSL Interacessohttp://www.interacesso.pt/ia_adsl_1.php

Simplesnet Productshttp://www.simplesnet.pt/main.php?pagina=sn_adsl_2.php 

Subscription to ADSL Simplesnethttp://www.simplesnet.pt/main.php?pagina=sn_adsl_3.php

NOVIS TELECOM, SA / CLIXGEST - Internet e Conteúdos, SA

Subscription to ADSL serviceshttp://www.novis.pt/adesao/novisform/form/view/14

ONITELECOM - Infocomunicações, SA

Oni - Confirm coveragehttp://www.oninet.pt/index.htm

TELEPAC II - Comunicações Interactivas, SA

ADSLhttp://home.telepac.pt/index_produto.html

FAQhttp://www.telepac.pt/faq.html?id=557612

VIA NET.WORKS Portugal - Tecnologias de Informação, SA

ADSL Individualshttp://www.claranet.pt/catalogo/listaprodutos.php?cat=8&sessao=1

ADSL Companieshttp://www.claranet.pt/catalogo/listaprodutos.php?cat=12&sessao=1

ADSL network of PT Comunicações, SA

The coverage of the ''PT ADSL Network'' offer of PT Comunicações (PTC), consists of a wholesale offer of access based on broadband technology. This allows other operators to develop broadband internet access offered at retail level - to the final user.

By ANACOM determination Alteration to ''PT ADSL Network'' wholesale offer - determination of 21.4.2006http://www.anacom.pt/template31.jsp?categoryId=193042, approval was given to the decision on the alteration of the wholesale offer ''PT ADSL Network”. Here the new conditions of ''PT ADSL Network” wholesale offer can be seen.

See: PT ADSL Network - Service Descriptionhttp://ptwholesale.telecom.pt/GSW/PT/Canais/ProdutosServicos/OfertasReferencia/RedeADSL/adslpt.htm (This information remains the property of PT Comunicações)

According to information provided by PTC, at the end of the September the company had 1853 DSLAM-equipped exchanges and concentrators, fully covering the areas where it is possible to provide ADSL. This situation is the same as that seen at the end of the second quarter of 2006.

Further Information on ANACOM’s website

ADSL Offers from PT Comunicaçõeshttp://www.anacom.pt/template15.jsp?categoryId=38015 - ANACOM Determinations

In order to find a way through the limitations mentioned above, a protocol was signed between the Portuguese Government (Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications) and PTC on 26 June 2006. This protocol sets out the procedures for satisfying requests for broadband access in such situations.