Portugal's top telecom CEOs slam regulatory delays ahead of 2027 license cliff

The heads of Portugal’s three largest telecom operators have criticised the country’s regulatory uncertainty over spectrum license renewals. With permits set to expire in 2027, CEOs from NOS, MEO, and Vodafone warned that delays are harming investment and stability in the sector. Their concerns were raised during a recent industry discussion on market consolidation and future planning. At a meeting organised by telecom association APDC, the CEOs of NOS, MEO, and Vodafone all voiced frustration over the lack of clarity from regulator Anacom. NOS chief Miguel Almeida accused the body of failing to follow EU directives on license renewals, calling the situation unacceptable. MEO’s Ana Figueiredo and Vodafone’s Luís Lopes echoed his concerns, stressing that unpredictability was damaging long-term planning.

Figueiredo also highlighted workforce cuts, revealing that MEO had reduced staff by 1,200 through voluntary redundancy schemes. Meanwhile, Lopes reported that Vodafone Portugal saw retail revenues drop in 2025, despite an increase in customer numbers. Both pointed to broader challenges in the sector beyond licensing issues. All three operators agreed that market consolidation was now unavoidable. Almeida described it as 'the only way forward' for Portugal’s telecom industry, while Figueiredo cautioned that any merger activity should align with wider European reforms. APDC President Rogério Carapuça had opened the discussion by asking whether consolidation was necessary, to which the CEOs gave a united response. Responding to the criticism, Anacom chair Sandra Maximiniano promised a decision on license renewals 'very soon'. She described the upcoming solution as 'balanced' but did not provide further details. Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz separately emphasised the urgency of resolving the issue before the 2027 deadline.

The telecom operators’ warnings come as Portugal’s spectrum licenses near their expiry date. Without clear renewal terms, companies face difficulties in planning investments and maintaining service stability. Anacom’s upcoming decision will determine how the sector moves forward in the next two years.