2.2. Information availability

The ICP considered it a priority for consumers and users in general to have access to more and better information, namely through increased use of its website to that end. The ICP expects its website to increasingly serve this purpose for the many and diverse players in the sector, either for general or more specialised information. The Institute aims to ensure that decisions made by the Board of Administration, which it deems will have external impact, are made public in a timely fashion. 

As a result, the ICP's website, used as a fundamental tool of the Institute's communication policy, was subject to constant renovations and updates, both in the Portuguese version and the English version. In 2001, the ICP's website underwent serious restructuring, encompassing its graphic image and functional capabilities; site visitors were provided with new areas and new content, as well as an online attendance service. Also, in 2001 the ICP had users fill out an online questionnaire in order to better understand customer profiles and needs. Results of the survey, along with the development of a content management application, were key in the site's renovation.

However, the final renovated product was only finished and subsequently launched in 2002. Recommendations made by the Interministerial Commission for the Information Society (CISI), among others, were taken into account in the renovation process. Special attention was paid to citizens with special needs.

In terms of providing information to the market, especially to consumers, special attention should be given to publication of the report entitled Measuring the Service Quality of Mobile Networks  - QoS-GSM, which used data collection methods developed by the ICP. Mobile telephone operators - TMN, Telecel e Optimus - as well as DECO were involved in defining the method to be followed, and contributed to the fieldwork. Contrary to what happened in 2000, this study included, in addition to mainland Portugal, the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira.

Other activities undertaken to promote the ICP's image and that of the sector, and to disseminate relevant market information included: 

a) The publication of the Statistical Yearbook for the Communications Market - 2000);

b) Reports on Perception of the Quality of Postal Services, 1999 and 2001;

c) Report on the Evolution of Postal Service Prices, 1989-2000;

d) Report on the Comparison of International Prices in Leased Line Services, 2001;

e) Publication of the 12 monthly issues of the SPECTRU bulletin;

f) Publication of a book and film, "Tomás e o Espectro Radioeléctrico" (Thomas and the Radio Spectrum), which are distributed on a regular basis by the Portuguese Communications Foundation during school visits;

g) Development of the ICP's new image, along with its new designation - ANACOM  - and the respective application in the various areas.


The ICP was also involved in the following activities:

a) The 3rd Portuguese Communications Foundation Award;

b) The letter-writing competition promoted all over the world by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and organised in Portugal by the ICP and CTT;

c) Preparation of commemorations for the 150th anniversary of the Infrastructure Ministry, to take place in October 2002. The ICP is represented on the respective working group.