Radio spectrum management
In the area of spectrum management, ICP-ANACOM' activities were targeted at the accomplishment of these two major strategic objectives: to promote open and competitive markets and to assure and protect the rights of users and citizens in general.
Taking into account the principles of neutrality of services and technology, ICP-ANACOM has always sought to make radio spectrum available in a timely manner and based on procedures which are transparent, efficient and market-oriented.
In 2010, the following major areas saw strategic intervention by ICP-ANACOM with respect to radio spectrum management:
- the revision of National Table of Frequency Allocations (NTFA) and the development of a frequency information website (e-NTFA);
- transposition of the new Directive no. 2009/114/EC of 16 September 2009, which amended Directive no. 87/372/EEC, allowing the 900 MHz band to be used for the provision of mobile broadband services (3rd generation mobile communications system (UMTS)), known as refarming;
- the amendment of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and UMTS licenses in order to unify the rights of use of frequencies, following transposition of Directive no. 2009/114/EC;
- designation and release of the 790-862 Megahertz (MHz) band (known as the "digital dividend") for electronic communication services, in accordance Decision no. 2010/267/EU;
- execution of the first auction in Portugal for the allocation of rights of use in the 3.4 3.8 Gigahertz (GHz) band based on neutrality of technology and services;
- consideration of the potential models for allocating spectrum and of the obligations associated with the rights of use of frequencies, in the context of preparing the launch of the respective selection process, setting out the release of the 790-862 MHz band in conjunction with other bands.
Numbering
In the area of numbering, a public consultation was launched on the implementation of the common position of the European Regulators Group (ERG) on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and on the conditions governing the use of geographic, nomadic and mobile numbers.
Additionally, a new code (703) was created in the PNN - Plano Nacional de Numeração (National Numbering Plan) for the provision of electronic communications services on non-publicly available private networks.
Digital terrestrial television (DTT)
In this regard, the following three key measures were implemented:
- repeal of the act of granting rights of use of frequencies associated with Multiplexers B to F and of the titles that substantiated them;
- the final decision on the detailed plan to cease analogue terrestrial transmissions (switch-off plan) associated with the introduction of DTT in Portugal;
- public consultation on the amendment of certain Multiplexer A operating channels of the digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting service, in order to help ensure that the "digital dividend" frequencies are made available in a timely manner.
