This service registered in 2000 the highest increase in absolute terms, since its coming into operation, which corresponded to a rise of almost 2 million subscribers, compared with the previous year, corresponding to a growth rate of 43% (Figure 11). The service accounted for, at the end of the year, around 6.7 million subscribers, what was reflected in a rise in the penetration rate, in terms of population, which rose from around 47% in 1999 to around 67% in 2000.
In terms of positioning vis-à-vis the rest of the EU countries, Portugal has maintained a service density above the EU average (Figure 12).
Figure 11
Figure 12
In terms of traffic, the year 2000 saw a positive variation of 18.6% in the average monthly conversation time per subscriber and a reduction in the average monthly number of calls per subscriber (Figure 13).
Figure 13
