Portugal’s well padded telecoms companies have responded to reports of ever increasing prices by claiming that consumers now get more for their money.
Telecommunications prices in Portugal have risen more than all the EU countries surveyed, data from Ireland, Denmark and Sweden was not available, according to the latest Anacom survey which shows the trend has been a constant over the last five years.
Operators have hit back, saying that the data should be ‘contextualised’ as consumers are getting good deals on voice, internet and television packages.
March on March figures show a 2.8% rise in overall prices charged to Portuguese consumers, "the sixth largest increase of prices for any item in the Portuguese economy," according to the National Statistics Institute.
"Since March 2011 telecommunications prices have grown more in Portugal than in the EU," says Anacom, reflecting the reality of Portugal's situation which is dominated by three operators despite the government's feeble attempt to 'open up the market.'
According Apritel, the association representing telecommunications companies, these comparisons with Europe should be "properly contextualised," adding that in recent years Portuguese telecoms companies have registered "successive falls in revenues even if the consumption of services and market penetration have increased."
On the other hand, claim the companies, the range of services provided has greatly increased which has not been reflected in a proportional increase in cost.
