Frequencies

The radio frequency spectrum is divided into various frequency bands which have different uses.

The frequencies used by cellular networks and in particular by networks providing terrestrial electronic communication services (TECS) are located in the UHF band between 300 MHz and 3000 MHz.

The existing model, whereby rights of use of frequencies for the provision of terrestrial mobile services were allocated according to specific technologies, including GSM and UMTS, was abandoned following the auction of rights of use of frequencies in the 450 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands.

As a result, with a view to the principle of service and technological neutrality, ANACOM issued unified titles with the conditions applicable to the rights of use of frequencies allocated to operators for the provision of publicly available terrestrial electronic communications services.

The radio licence titles of the Public Land Mobile Service - GSM and UMTS - were also reformulated, and in April 2012, radiocommunications network licences were issued in their place, with each licence covering multiple frequency bands allocated to each operator and their respective associated technologies.

Subsequent to the auction of rights of use of frequencies, the distribution of the various frequency bands by operators is as follows: