Telecom regulator guarantees ‘full 5G coverage’ in 2025

The president of the National Communications Authority (Anacom), João Cadete de Matos, on Thursday said that the fifth generation of mobile communications, 5G, will reach full coverage in Portugal in 2025.

“Each and every parish in our country will have to have, within two years, so by 2023, a significant improvement in coverage. I would say that in 2025, yes, we will have full coverage of mobile communications in our country,” he said.

The president of Anacom, who was speaking during a conference on the second day of the fifth Portugal Air Summit, at the Ponte de Sor Municipal Aerodrome (Portalegre), also said that concerning 5G there are obligations that are defined in the auction regulations underway, which will meet the expectations and interests of citizens and economic activities.

João Cadete de Matos also stressed that aviation cannot be left out of this challenge, estimating a very significant growth of the 5G market in the sector worldwide.

“At a global level, in the current year, a value of around US$500 million is already estimated, with a growth forecast to reach US$3.9 billion in 2026,” he said.

During his speech, the president of Anacom also addressed the issue of space sustainability, stressing that this issue cannot be ignored in the future, warning that it is becoming “frighteningly” congested.

“Space is becoming frighteningly congested due to the high number of satellites in orbit, the almost uncontrolled increase in the placing in orbit of mega-constellations and, above all, by the excessive amount of waste in orbits near the earth and the international space station itself,” he said.

For the president of Anacom, this is a question not only political but also of industry and the scientific community, since the waste that “orbits” in space can put manned commissions, communication systems and observation of atmospheric phenomena and meteorology at risk.

“On our part, Anacom, as space authority, will require all those who want to develop licensed space activities in Portugal to meet the most rigorous international standards,” he said.