The fifth option of Portugal's 2014 Major Planning Options - The challenge of the future: priority sector measures - includes the following measures related to the communications sector (section 5.1.3 - infrastructure, transport and communications), following on from ongoing actions:
- maintenance of the universal postal service, provided in accordance with high standards of quality and kept affordable for all citizens;
- review of the Bases of the Postal Concession, bringing them into line with the new reality of the sector;
- execution of the contracts governing the provision of universal service by the new designated providers;
- development and use of next generation networks within the context of the National Digital Agenda, giving, in particular, continuance to the execution of the contracts governing the installation and operation of next generation networks contracts in the national territory, promoting the use of high-speed broadband for all citizens.
Also according to the fifth option the Major Planning Options, and in terms of consumer protection (section 5.1.5), the complaints book scheme will be reviewed, updating the regime governing the scheme and by clarifying conditions of use; meanwhile, a system will be established to provide faster and more effective response to enquiries and to consumer complaints. There are also plans to encourage the creation of instruments that enable comparison of pricing and conditions governing the supply of products and services.
The 2014 Major Planning Options were approved by the Assembleia da República (Assembly of the Republic) and published in the Diário da República (Official Journal) on 31 December (Law no. 83-B/2013), as part of Portugal's strategy of fiscal consolidation and of rigour in public finances and to develop the Portuguese economy and Portuguese society, as presented in the Programme of the XIX Constitutional Government and in the 2012-2015 Major Planning Options.
