Portugal plans international fibre tender
October 9, 2023
From Branislav Pekic in Rome
Portugal’s government plans to launch an international public tender by the end of the year to bring optical fibre to rural areas without coverage.
Announcing the project, the Minister of Territorial Cohesion, Ana Abrunhosa, said that the investment is expected to exceed €350 million, with half of the cost coming from European funds. The remaining 50 per cent will be borne by the wholesale operators who win the tender.
The tender will be divided into seven lots, with different operators able to win each lot. The winning wholesale operators will be responsible for laying the optical fibre, which will then be used by commercial operators to provide service to homes and businesses.
The government estimates that the investment will benefit more than 460,000 homes and businesses in so-called ‘white areas’.
The investment in optical fibre is part of the Portuguese government’s broader effort to improve the country’s digital infrastructure. The government has also invested in 5G networks and is working to expand broadband access to all areas of the country.