Chronology of Communications 2018

December

ANACOM approves results of audits of the quality levels of the universal postal service provided by CTT in 2016 and 2017.
Published on 21 December, Regulation 851/2018 on the registration of postal service providers.
Entry into force, on 20 December, of the new European Electronic Communications Code, which consists of a revision of European Union telecommunications regulations.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1979 published on 13 December establishing the weighted average of maximum mobile termination rates within the Union and repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2311.
EC publishes a communication containing guidelines intended for national regulatory authorities regarding transparency and assessment of cross-border parcel tariffs under Regulation (EU) 2018/644 on cross-border parcel delivery services and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1263, which establishes the forms for the provision of information by parcel delivery service providers.
Published, on 12 December, Notice 18571/2018, concerning the updating of the list of cadastral objects and respective descriptive elements to be made available on the SIIS.
ANACOM begins consultation on the draft regulation amending Regulation 257/2018, of 8 May (Portability Regulation).
WiFi4EU - CE awards vouchers to 127 Portuguese city councils in the first application phase.
ANACOM approves the regulation on the registration of postal service providers.

November

ANACOM approves final decision on the 15.16% reduction in the annual price charged by MEO associated with the provision of encoding, multiplexing, transport and broadcast of free unrestricted access television channels by digital terrestrial network (DTT) (MUX A).
ANACOM begins public consultation on the strategic objectives and main actions for its 2019-2021 activity plan.
Published, on 14 November, Regulation (EU) 2018/1807 of the European Parliament and of the Council on a regime for the free flow of non-personal data within the European Union.
ANACOM approves methodology for forecasting traffic in the basket of non-reserved postal services for the 2018-2020 period and the consequent maximum price variation of this basket in 2019 and 2020 and determines the publication of the consolidated version of the decision on the establishment of price formation criteria for the universal postal service for the period 2018-2020.
ANACOM approves the final decision concerning the updating of the list of cadastral objects and respective descriptive elements to be made available on the suitable infrastructure information system (SIIS).
ANACOM approves the issuance of billing of the 2018 annual fee due for the exercise of activity of provider of electronic communications networks and services, setting the value of the t2 percentage contribution at 0.7915%, to be applied to the relevant income of providers of the electronic communications networks and services.
ANACOM approves the issuance of billing of the 2018 annual fee due for the exercise of activity of provider of postal services, setting the value of the t2 percentage contribution at 0.2473%, to be applied to the relevant income of providers of the postal services.
Following an audit, ANACOM approves the declaration of compliance of MEO’s cost accounting system for 2016, as published through Notice 17346/2018.
WiFi4EU – first call for applications runs from 07 to 09 November and distributes 2800 vouchers (worth 15,000 euros each) to municipalities across the European Union to provide high quality Internet access.

October

ANACOM approves final decision on the amendment of the semiannual portability questionnaire.
ANACOM approves final decision on Vodafone’s request for intervention for the administrative settlement of a complaint presented by Vodafone against MEO concerning the payment of penalties by MEO for incorrect responses to feasibility analysis requests submitted by Vodafone under the RCAO.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1538 published on 11 October on the harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range equipment in the 874-876 MHz and 915-921 MHz frequency bands.
WiFi4EU – EC provides indicative plan for next steps of the initiative and online portal for companies and municipalities to make the necessary registrations for the subsequent application phase.
ANACOM discloses the results of the audit carried out and makes determinations and recommendations regarding the procedures for measuring universal postal service quality indicators. At the same time, ANACOM begins consultations concerning the results of the audits of the universal postal service quality levels in 2016 and 2017, related to CTT’s quality of service indicators and complaints and information request indicators.
ANACOM approves final decision concerning the wholesale market for call origination in public telephone networks at a fixed location to enable retail telephone services - definition of the product market and geographic market, assessment of significant market power and imposition, maintenance, modification or suppression of regulatory obligations (ex-market 2). Decision establishes the end of ex-ante regulation for this market.

September

ANACOM approves the final decisions on the wholesale markets for call termination on the public telephone network at a fixed location, corresponding to (i) definition of the relevant market, assessment of significant market power (SMP) and the imposition, maintenance, amendment and withdrawal of regulatory obligations and (ii) specification of the price control obligation (market 1). It was determined that the maximum price for the termination of calls on public telephone networks at a fixed location to be applied in 2018 by fixed operators notified with SMP shall be 0.047 eurocents per minute (with billing per second as from the first second), taking effect ten working days following publication. The price updates in 2019 and 2020 take effect as from 1 October of each year.
Publication on 20 September of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1263 establishing the forms for the submission of information by parcel delivery service providers pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/644 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
ANACOM issued clarification on Internet neutrality, so that operators might adopt solutions which comply with the final decision on commercial practices of zero-rating and similar practices without penalizing consumers.
ANACOM announces clarification on the entry into force, on 13 September, of amendments to Regulamento de Portabilidade (Portability Regulation - Regulation no. 257/2018, of 8 May).
ANACOM approves final decision on the minimum level of detail and information to be included in bills which electronic communications operators are required to make available to subscribers requesting detailed billing, regardless of how the bill is provided.
ANACOM suspends the execution of its final decision on the dispute between MEO and Vodafone regarding non-compliance with procedures governing the installation of customer drops pursuant to the Reference Poles Access Offer (RPAO).
Publication on 6 September of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 116/2018, which approves the Programa de Valorização do Interior.

August

ANACOM launches public consultation on updating the list of registration objects in the Suitable Infrastructure Information System (SIIS).
ANACOM submits the draft regulation on the registration of postal service providers to public consultation.
ANACOM submits second draft regulation on the security and integrity of electronic communications networks and services to public consultation.
Publication on 22 August of Notice no. 11948/2018 on the draft regulation on the security and integrity of electronic communications networks and services.
ANACOM equips LEC - Laboratório de Ensaios e Calibração (Testing and Calibration Laboratory) with an automatic testing system for DTT reception equipment with antenna connector (DVB-T), which allows verification of compliance with four essential requirements (sensitivity, adjacent channel selectivity, blocking and overloading), laid down in harmonised standard EN 303 340 (Digital Terrestrial TV Broadcast Receivers; Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of Directive 2014/53/EU).
Publication on 13 August of Law no. 46/2018 establishing the legal regime governing cyberspace security, transposing Directive 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the European Union.
ANACOM approves revised versions of Annex I (Technical interface between networks) and Annex II (Administrative procedures for operator portability) of the Especificação de Portabilidade (Portability Specification), in accordance with paragraph 3 of article 5 of Regulamento de Portabilidade (Portability Regulation).
WiFi4EU – European Commission presents indicative roadmap describing the next steps of the initiative, including the re-establishment of the WiFi4EU website in the second half of September 2018 and the launch of the call for proposals in the last quarter of 2018.
ANACOM approves final decision on the request for intervention to resolve a dispute between MEO and Vodafone) concerning non-compliance with procedures set out and governed by the Reference Poles Access Offer (RPAO), specifically as regards the installation of customer drops.

July

ANACOM approves the final decision on the request presented by CTT - Correios de Portugal (CTT) seeking that, for the purpose of calculating indicators of quality of service in respect of 2018, the records referring to non-priority mail, non-priority parcels, priority mail and registered mail be disregarded where directly affected by disruptions to air traffic caused by bad weather at Funchal Airport on 7 and 8 February 2018 as regards all mail traffic to and from the Autonomous Region of Madeira (RAM), with the exception of internal shipments within the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Publication on 23 July of Resolution of Assembleia da República (Assembly of the Republic) no. 199/2018 which recommends that the Government adopt measures within the framework of the system for the prevention and combat of forest fires.
Publication on 23 July of Decree-Law no. 58/2018, which establishes a compulsory civil liability registration and insurance system applicable to unmanned civil aircraft systems (drones).
ANACOM approves report of the public consultation held on the availability of the 700 MHz frequency band and other relevant bands.
ANACOM approves calculation of the costs of regulating the activity of provider of electronic communications networks and services, for purposes of the fees to be settled in 2018, having an amount of 34,065,348 euros.
ANACOM approves calculation of the sum of costs incurred in regulating the activity of postal service provider, for purposes of the fees to be settled in 2018, having an amount of 2,058,790 euros.
ANACOM approves pricing criteria for the universal postal service for 2018-2020 and submits the methodology for forecasting traffic of the basket of non-reserved services to public consultation.
ANACOM approves the parameters of quality of service and performance targets associated with provision of the universal postal service, to which CTT is subject in 2019 and 2020.
Release of the first report on notifications of security breaches and losses of network integrity sent to ANACOM by companies offering public networks or publicly available electronic communications services in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
ANACOM approves final decision on the commercial practices of zero-rating and similar practices in Portugal, determining a deadline of 50 working days for operators to modify offers known as zero-rating offers (or similar offers) offered by mobile Internet access providers and in breach of the TSM Regulation and Roaming Regulation, as regards rules on net neutrality and roaming.
ANACOM launches a consultation on the price charged by MEO in connection with provision of the service of encoding, multiplexing, transport and broadcast of free unrestricted access television channels over the digital terrestrial television network (MUX A).
ANACOM advises Vectone customers that they have three months to port their telephone numbers and maintain mobile services due to the termination of the provider's activity in Portugal from 4 July.
ANACOM announces national roadmap for the release of the 700 MHz band, necessary for 5th generation mobile development in the framework of international agreements and the determinations of the European Parliament and of the Council. The release of this band, which should take place from last quarter 2019 and until 30 June 2020, requires the migration of digital terrestrial television (DTT) to a new frequency band.

June

ANACOM approves an opinion on the draft final decision of AdC - Autoridade da Concorrência (Portuguese Competition Authority) to archive, due to fulfilment of conditions, the administrative proceedings brought against CTT. These proceedings stem from a complaint lodged with AdC by VASP Premium - Entrega Personalizada de Publicações in November 2014, for alleged refusal by CTT to grant access to its postal distribution network.
ANACOM approves the report on net neutrality for the period from 1 May 2017 to 30 April 2018.
ANACOM approves final decisions on the wholesale markets for voice call termination on individual mobile networks, corresponding to (i) the definition of product markets and geographic markets, assessment of Significant Market Power (SMP) and the imposition, maintenance, amendment or withdrawal of regulatory obligations and (ii) specification of the price control obligation. Mobile operators are required to implement the stipulated reduction in mobile termination prices as from 12 July. The new price for call terminations on mobile networks will be 0.42 euro cents per minute; this represents a wholesale price between operators. This new price entails a reduction of 44% compared to the current price (0.75 euro cents/minute).
ANACOM approves final decision on the values of the quality indicators of the universal postal service reported by CTT in 2017, determining a reduction of prices in force in 2018 by 0.085 percentage points due to a failure to comply (for a period of 3 months) with two quality of service indicators of the universal postal service.
WiFi4EU - European Commission cancels the first call due the technical problems with the WiFi4EU website that made it impossible for those interested to apply for the vouchers on equal terms.
ANACOM approves 2017 Annual Report and Accounts of the electronic communications universal service compensation fund.
ANACOM approves final decision on the dematerialisation of the process of transmitting information and documentation between ANACOM and providers of communications services in the context of the handling of complaints presented through complaint books. The decision also addresses the requirements which apply to responses to such complaints.
ANACOM approves and publishes 2017 report on the administrative costs and sum of fees charged in respect of electronic communications.
ANACOM submits definition of the minimum level of information in bills to be provided to subscribers free of charge to public consultation.

May

ANACOM launches consultation on amendments to the RDAO and RPAO.
Working group coordinated by ANACOM identifies 27 measures to protect telecommunications networks in the event of fires (report).
Publication on 15 May of Decree-Law no. 33/2018, which establishes the rules for implementing the State Budget for 2018, approved by Law no. 114/2017 of 29 December.
Publication on 14 May of Resolution of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of Madeira no. 12/2018/M, with recommendation to the Government of the Republic seeking ANACOM's intervention as regards regulation and oversight of compliance with the CTT concession contract.
Publication on 8 May of Regulation no. 257/2018 on the amendment of Regulation no. 58/2005 of 18 August (Portability Regulation).
Publication on 7 May of European Commission Communication 2018/C 159/01 on the guidelines for market analysis and the assessment of SMP under the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services.
ANACOM approves document and recommendation to the Government regarding the "determination of possible over-financing in the context of contracts relating to high-speed networks in rural areas".
ANACOM concludes the analysis of the prices of wholesale offers supported by rural high-speed networks and proposal to the Government for an average reduction of between 30% and 66% in the prices of Fibroglobal's offers, depending on the types of access, in order to guarantee their maintenance at reasonable and non-discriminatory levels.

April

ANACOM approves implementation of Implementing Decisions (EU) 2017/1438 of 4 August and 2017/1483 of 8 August, by incorporation into the NTFA.
Publication on 26 April of Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/661 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/750 on the harmonisation of the 1452-1492 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the European Union, as regards their extension in the harmonized frequencies 1427-1452 MHz and 1492-1517 MHz.
Publication on 20 April of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/637 amending Commission Decision 2009/766/EC on the harmonisation of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems capable of providing pan-European electronic communications services in the Community as regards the relevant technical conditions for the Internet of Things.
Publication on 18 April of Regulation (EU) 2018/644 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cross-border parcel delivery services.
ANACOM approves the report of the public consultation on the revision of the conditions governing provision of the universal electronic communications service in its various components, comprising recommendations to the Government.
ANACOM approves amendments to Regulamento de Portabilidade (Portability Regulation).
The European Council adopts a Regulation aimed at improving cross-border parcel delivery services by implementing a procedure allowing comparison of parcel delivery prices in the EU.
BEREC submits proposed 2019 work programme to public consultation.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the wholesale market for call origination on the public telephone network provided at a fixed location for the provision of retail telephone services - definition of product market and geographic market, assessment of significant market power (SMP) and imposition, maintenance, amendment or withdrawal of regulatory obligations.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the wholesale markets for call termination on public telephone networks at a fixed location, corresponding to (i) definition of the relevant market, assessment of significant market power (SMP) and the imposition, maintenance, amendment and withdrawal of regulatory obligations and (ii) specification of the price control obligation.
Entry into force, on 1 April, of the Regulation allowing portability of digital content in the EU. Digital content portability covers film broadcasting, sports events, music, e-books and games.

March

Publication on 29 March of Rectification Statement no. 14/2018, which rectifies Administrative Rule no. 57/2018 of 26 February, regulating the operation and management of the public procurement portal ("Portal BASE”), and approves the data models to be transmitted.
ANACOM does not oppose proposal for a new tariff for the universal postal service, as submitted by CTT to be in force as of 2 April 2018.
ANACOM approves a recommendation issued to providers of electronic communication services recommending that they do not make any charge for providing non-detailed bills or bills with a minimum level of detail, regardless of the medium used for this purpose.
WiFi4EU - European Commission makes WiFi4EU website available for companies and municipalities to register in the application phase for this programme, which aims to promote Internet connectivity in local communities by granting financial support.
Publication on 12 March of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 30/2018, which approves the National Space Strategy.
ANACOM publishes information video advising consumers as to the precautions to be taken before concluding distance contracts.
ANACOM promotes position as regards the air transport of mail to and from the Autonomous Region of the Azores in the context of the universal postal service.
ANACOM launches an information leaflet advising consumers about the requirements they should check before purchasing radio and electronic communications equipment.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the availability of the 700 MHz frequency band and other relevant bands.
Publication on 1 March of Commission Recommendation (EU) 2018/334 on measures to effectively tackle illegal content online.

February

Publication of Regulation (EU) 2018/302 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 February 2018 on addressing unjustified geo-blocking and other forms of discrimination based on customers' nationality, place of residence or place of establishment within the internal market and amending Regulations (EC) no. 2006/2004 and (EU) 2017/2394 and Directive 2009/22/EC.
Publication on 26 February of Rectification Statement no. 6/2018, which rectifies Law no. 114/2017 of 29 December, regarding the 2018 State Budget.
Publication on 26 February of Administrative Rule no. 57/2018, which regulates the operation and management of the public procurement portal ("Portal BASE”), and approves the data models to be transmitted.
ANACOM approves decision to exempt NOS from the requirement to remit its contribution to the universal service compensation fund in respect of the net costs of universal service provision in 2015.
ANACOM approves decision to exempt NOS from the requirement to remit its contribution to the universal service compensation fund in respect of the net costs of universal service provision in 2016.
ANACOM launches consultation on business of zero-rating and similar practices in Portugal.
Publication on 21 February of Notice no. 2439/2018 on the declaration of conformity of the Sistema de Contabilidade Analítica (Analytical Accounting System) used by MEO in 2015.
ANACOM and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to promote the creation of a civil protection public warning system in emergency situations.
RSPG publishes recommendations aimed at facilitating the large-scale launch of 5G in Europe from 2020.
ITU submits 2020-2023 draft strategic plan to public consultation.
ERGP launches consultation for preparation of the 2019 work programme.
ANACOM, operators with portability obligations and Portátil (reference entity that manages the ported numbers database) agree on the revision of prices associated with the provision of portability services. Monthly subscription prices are reduced by up to 62% compared to the values in force since 2015.
ANACOM approves declaration of conformity of MEO's analytical accounting system for financial year 2015.
Council of Ministers appoints members to ANACOM's Board of Directors: João Miguel André Monteiro Coelho (Vice-Chair), Paula Cristina Meira Lourenço and Sandro Miguel Ferreira Mendonça (Members) (CM Resolution no. 16/2018 of 23 February).
In 2017, ANACOM carried out more than 6,600 enforcement actions.
European Commission publishes guidelines for implementation of the General Regulation on Data Protection (Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016) applicable throughout the European Union as of 25 May 2018.
Publication on 2 February of Order no. 1195/2018, which approves the Internal Regulation of the Higher Council of Cyberspace Security.
Publication on 2 February of Administrative Rule no. 41-A/2018, which determines the application of ANACOM's net results for financial year 2016.
ANACOM, in partnership with Associação Nacional de Municípios Portugueses (National Association of Portuguese Municipalities), organises four clarification sessions on the WiFi4EU initiative, which aims to promote Internet connectivity in local communities through the provision of EU financial support under the Connecting Europe Facility.

January

Publication on 31 January of Order no. 1126/2018 determining analysis and prior agreement with the operator as reagrds technical changes to be introduced in the context of SIRESP - Sistema Integrado das Redes de Emergência e Segurança de Portugal (Integrated System for Emergency and Security Networks in Portugal).
Publication on 31 January of Rectification Statement no. 87/2018, which republishes Regulation no. 6/2018 of 5 January concerning the registration of companies which offer electronic communications networks and services.
Publication on 31 January of Notice no. 1477/2018, regarding the declaration of conformity of CTT's analytical accounting system for financial year 2015.
Publication on 30 January of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/151 laying down rules for application of Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards further specification of the elements to be taken into account by digital service providers for managing the risks posed to the security of network and information systems and of the parameters for determining whether an incident has a substantial impact.
ANACOM approves decision identifying the undertakings required to contribute to the electronic communications universal service compensation fund and determining the amount of the contributions in respect of the net costs of universal service (NCUS) to be compensated for 2014 (NCUS approved in 2016) and for 2016 (period subsequent to the designation of universal service providers by tender).
Publication on 24 January of Resolution of Assembleia da República (Assembly of the Republic) no. 17/2018, which makes a recommendation to the Government as regards an evaluation of the contractual responsibilities underlying the concession in force between the Portuguese State and CTT.
ANACOM approves the declaration of conformity of CTT's analytical accounting system for financial year 2015.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the wholesale markets for call termination on public telephone networks at a fixed location - market analysis and specification of the price control obligation.
ANACOM approves final decision on amendments to the RUO, which must be implemented by MEO, within 30 working days of the date of the decision.
ANACOM releases Multi-Year Activities Plan for the 2018-2020 period.
ANACOM publishes "Study on the expansion of the offer of digital terrestrial television (DTT) programme services".
BEREC and RSPG release joint report on facilitating mobile connectivity in "challenge areas" in Europe.
ANACOM submits the quality of service parameters and performance targets of the universal postal service for 2018-2020 to public consultation.
ANACOM submits the criteria for universal postal service pricing for 2018-2020 to public consultation.
ANACOM approves final decision on IP interconnection.
Publication on 5 January 2018 of Regulation no 6/2018 concerning the registration of undertakings providing electronic communications networks and services.
Publication on 5 January of Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 2/2018, which reviews the RNID - Regulamento Nacional de Interoperabilidade Digital (National Regulation of Digital Interoperability).