Portugal’s Digital Landscape: A Comprehensive Overview of Internet Speeds, Connectivity, and Digital Infrastructure

Exploring the Country’s Progress, Challenges, and Future Plans for a Digitally Inclusive Society

In today’s digital age, a country’s digital landscape plays a crucial role in its economic growth, social development, and overall competitiveness. Portugal, a country located in southwestern Europe, has made significant progress in its digital infrastructure, but challenges remain in achieving universal access and digital inclusion. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Portugal’s digital landscape, including its internet speeds, connectivity, and digital infrastructure, as well as its national strategy for connectivity and digital transformation.

Introduction

Portugal’s digital landscape has undergone significant transformations in recent years, with the country investing heavily in its digital infrastructure. The importance of internet speeds, connectivity, and digital infrastructure in modern society cannot be overstated. They are essential for economic growth, social development, and overall competitiveness. However, despite the progress made, challenges remain in achieving universal access and digital inclusion. This article will explore Portugal’s digital landscape, including its internet speeds, connectivity, and digital infrastructure, as well as its national strategy for connectivity and digital transformation.

Mobile and Fixed Broadband Connectivity in Portugal

Portugal has a well-developed mobile and fixed broadband connectivity infrastructure. As of January 2025, the country had 14.0 million cellular mobile connections, equivalent to 135% of the total population, reflecting widespread mobile adoption and the use of multiple SIMs per person. Additionally, 98.5% of mobile connections in Portugal are considered “broadband” (3G, 4G, or 5G), but not all are used for internet data.

The median mobile internet download speed in Portugal is 79.72 Mbps, up 8.6% year-on-year, while the median fixed broadband download speed is 195.90 Mbps, up 26.8% year-on-year. Portugal ranked 26th globally for mobile speeds and 20th for fixed broadband speeds in February 2025.

The top broadband providers in Portugal are MEO, Vodafone, and NOS, offering reliable coverage and competitive services. Fiber broadband is widely available in urban areas, with speeds up to 10 Gbps from providers like MEO and Vodafone. In suburban areas, speeds typically range from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, with a mix of fiber and cable connections. Rural regions rely mainly on ADSL (10–24 Mbps) and, where necessary, satellite broadband; MEO is the dominant provider in these areas.

Mobile Broadband Speeds in Portugal

| Provider | Median Download Speed (Mbps) |
| — | — |
| MEO | 85.12 |
| Vodafone | 78.45 |
| NOS | 74.23 |

Fixed Broadband Speeds in Portugal

| Provider | Median Download Speed (Mbps) |
| — | — |
| MEO | 205.12 |
| Vodafone | 195.45 |
| NOS | 185.23 |

Digital Infrastructure in Urban, Suburban, and Rural Areas

Portugal’s digital infrastructure varies significantly across urban, suburban, and rural areas. In urban areas, fiber broadband is widely available, with speeds up to 10 Gbps from providers like MEO and Vodafone. In suburban areas, speeds typically range from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, with a mix of fiber and cable connections.

Rural regions, however, rely mainly on ADSL (10–24 Mbps) and, where necessary, satellite broadband; MEO is the dominant provider in these areas. Mobile broadband (4G/5G) is a key solution for remote and isolated regions, with speeds from 10 to 50 Mbps; satellite is used where terrestrial infrastructure is lacking.

Digital Infrastructure in Urban Areas

• Fiber broadband with speeds up to 10 Gbps
• Providers: MEO, Vodafone, and NOS

Digital Infrastructure in Suburban Areas

• Mix of fiber and cable connections
• Speeds typically range from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps
• Providers: MEO, Vodafone, and NOS

Digital Infrastructure in Rural Areas

• ADSL (10–24 Mbps)
• Satellite broadband where necessary
• Provider: MEO

Portugal’s National Strategy for Connectivity and Digital Transformation

Portugal’s National Strategy for Connectivity in Very High Capacity Electronic Communication Networks (2023–2030) aims to provide gigabit connectivity to all households by 2030, using both private and public investment, especially in underserved “white areas”. The strategy also focuses on reducing bureaucracy and digitising public administration, with a special emphasis on improving services for expats and immigrants.

The country’s digital transformation plan includes three pillars: digital inclusion, business digitalisation, and public service digitalisation, with connectivity as a catalyst. Portugal’s e-health maturity improved by almost 40% in 2023, now ranking above the EU average.

Portugal’s National Strategy for Connectivity

• Provide gigabit connectivity to all households by 2030
• Use both private and public investment, especially in underserved “white areas”
• Focus on reducing bureaucracy and digitising public administration

Portugal’s Digital Transformation Plan

• Three pillars: digital inclusion, business digitalisation, and public service digitalisation
• Connectivity as a catalyst
• Improve services for expats and immigrants

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

Despite the progress made, challenges remain in achieving universal access and digital inclusion. Basic digital skills are a concern, with only 56% of the population having at least basic skills, just above the EU average. Additionally, increasing the proportion of ICT specialists, especially women, is a challenge.

Portugal’s digital transformation budget (excluding private investment) is estimated at EUR 854 million (0.3% of GDP). The country’s roadmap for the Digital Decade sets targets for only 4 out of 14 EU digital KPIs, indicating limited ambition in some areas.

Challenges in Basic Digital Skills

• Only 56% of the population have at least basic skills, just above the EU average
• Increasing the proportion of ICT specialists, especially women, is a challenge

Limited Ambition in Some Areas

• Portugal’s roadmap for the Digital Decade sets targets for only 4 out of 14 EU digital KPIs
• Limited ambition in some areas, such as digital inclusion and business digitalisation

Conclusion

In conclusion, Portugal’s digital landscape has made significant progress in recent years, with the country investing heavily in its digital infrastructure. However, challenges remain in achieving universal access and digital inclusion. The country’s national strategy for connectivity and digital transformation aims to provide gigabit connectivity to all households by 2030, using both private and public investment.

Despite the progress made, challenges remain in basic digital skills and increasing the proportion of ICT specialists, especially women. Portugal’s digital transformation budget (excluding private investment) is estimated at EUR 854 million (0.3% of GDP). The country’s roadmap for the Digital Decade sets targets for only 4 out of 14 EU digital KPIs, indicating limited ambition in some areas.

Overall, Portugal’s digital landscape is a complex and multifaceted issue, requiring a comprehensive approach to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By investing in its digital infrastructure and promoting digital inclusion, Portugal can ensure that its citizens have access to the digital tools and services they need to thrive in the digital age.

Recommendations

• Invest in digital infrastructure, especially in underserved “white areas”
• Promote digital inclusion and basic digital skills
• Increase the proportion of ICT specialists, especially women
• Set ambitious targets for the Digital Decade

Final Thoughts

Portugal’s digital landscape is a critical component of its economic growth, social development, and overall competitiveness. By addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, Portugal can ensure that its citizens have access to the digital tools and services they need to thrive in the digital age.