Vodafone “comes into play” also at the 5G – Telecommunications auction

“The launch of 5G is a fundamental step for the country, particularly in an economic context characterized by the need for productive investments essential for a sustained recovery”, writes the company in the press release, confirming its participation in the procedure, with the delivery of the application. Please note that the qualifying phase ended today at 4 pm.

Despite the confirmation of participation, the company nevertheless notes that it believes there should be changes. “However, there are aspects of the regulation that, in the opinion of Vodafone, should be subject to revision, an opinion it has expressed on several occasions, including with Anacom, which are currently being examined by the competent courts”, reads the official statement.

“We maintain the hope that some of the actions can still take place in time to promote the changes necessary to make 5G a factor of competitiveness and progress for the country”, he stresses.

NOS also confirms participation in the auction

NOS also confirmed today its participation in the auction which will allow the license for the use of spectrum for 5G services. But worries also remain.

The operator said, however, that he expects that, “in the face of so many public reactions of concern, the country’s decision-making bodies will intervene and change the rules of non-consensual auctions, in particular the national roaming rule, which, as already demonstrated too much is a unique creation in Europe, without precedents or justifications, a true expropriation of private assets “.

NOS also considers it “regrettable that the Government, the latter responsible, has not yet taken a position on the matter and that it watches with indifference to the destruction of an essential ecosystem for the development of 5G, industry 4.0, and the well-being of society. Portuguese”. The Ministry of Infrastructure remains silent until the end of the auction qualification phase.

“We are one step away from the abyss, but we want to believe that there will still be a decision in favor of Portugal, which will prevent our country from being condemned to irrelevance in the future digital economy”, concluded an official Nos source.

Anacom said Thursday that the 5G auction rules, “in addition to being adequate” and “proportionate”, also aim to “overcome or mitigate some of the disadvantages” to which new entrants are subject. But operators Altice Portugal, NOS and Vodafone Portugal disagree, considering that the rules are discriminatory.

In addition to operators, several organizations have expressed their concerns about the way the process is being conducted and the effects this may have on the industry. The Portuguese Communications Development Association (APDC) has expressed “enormous concern” over the 5G controversy, saying it seems “imperative to change the rules” of the auction “to make them more balanced and fair” for those concerned.

The same idea was expressed by COTEC Portugal – Business Association for Innovation and the pole of information, communication and electronics technologies TICE.PT argued that the conflict and litigation surrounding the 5G auction should “deserve a ‘particular attention on the part of parliament, by those who must act firmly “.

(updating)