History | Altice Portugal

2022

- Altice Portugal guarantees 5G in all district capitals and in the autonomous regions, at the start of the commercial launch of this technology.

- Continuing its strategy of diversifying its portfolio, MEO is launching the MEO Care offer - a package of services in 5 categories (home, Pets, Health, Seniors and Technology) aimed at the comfort and well-being of Portuguese families.

- Altice Portugal, together with the Champalimaud Foundation and Movistar, is performing unprecedented breast cancer surgery using 5G technology.

- MEO is launching the new MEO GO, which allows access to the operator's content, on any screen and anywhere, with a new interface and usability redesigned for a new mobile experience, and with a set of features that provide access, on the smartphone, to MEO TV exactly as it is.

- The Web Summit is bidding farewell to Portugal, having had Altice Portugal as its technology partner for six editions.

- More than 6 million homes and businesses with fiber optics.

- MEO is the first operator in Portugal to enter the metaverse.

2021

- Altice Labs, the Altice Group's innovation headquarters, is the Portuguese company with the highest number of innovative technologies distinguished by the European Commission's Innovation Radar, under the Horizon 2020 program (2014-2020).

- Altice Portugal has joined the international "Business Ambition for 1.5ºC" campaign led by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact and the We Mean Business coalition, pledging to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Science Based Targets criteria and recommendations, and contributing to limiting global warming to 1.5ºC.

- Altice Labs, the Altice Group's leading innovator in Portugal, has launched its latest technological innovation, a world first: the dual Small Factor Pluggable (dual SFP). This solution will revolutionize the way fibre optic networks are deployed by doubling their capacity, making it possible to serve twice as many customers.

- The Estádio do Dragão joins the Altice Arena, the Cidade do Futebol and the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in an unrivaled set of some of the biggest national stages with 5G coverage from Altice Portugal.

2020

- PT Empresas becomes Altice Empresas: a new brand, a new image, more ambition.

- More than 5 million homes and businesses with fiber optics.

- Altice Portugal expands its portfolio to the energy sector with the launch of the MEO Energia service.

- 10 years after its launch, MEO is the leading TV brand.

2019

- MEO defines itself as a Brand of Causes, with the aim of raising awareness of various issues in society - such as violence, the environment and sustainability, fires, among others -, supporting and encouraging the population to act in concrete situations and, above all, working to prevent them.

- After having already surprised the market in 2017, Altice Labs has now developed the first Fiber Gateway with Wi-Fi 6, which allows new freedom in internet access within home as well as an enriched WiFi experience.

2018

- PT will become Altice Portugal, keeping its commercial brands MEO, PT Empresas, SAPO, MOCHE and UZO.

- Altice Portugal carries out 1st pre-commercial 5G demonstration in Portugal.

2017

- Altice announced the arrival of fiber optics to 4 million homes and businesses through the MEO service. On the same day, it presented the Fiber Gateway, a new 100% Portuguese device that makes the WiFi offer ten times faster.

- Launch of the MEO Smart Home service, a pioneering solution from home that includes security, automation and comfort equipment, as well as features that can be controlled and accessed via cell phone, tablet or computer.

2016

- PT Inovação becomes Altice Labs. From Aveiro to the world, this is the nerve center whose mission is to lead the innovation agenda of all the Altice Group's operations.

- At the 1st edition of Websummit in Lisbon, of which PT was a technology partner, PT and Huawei made the first demonstration in Portugal, and one of the first in the world, of a 4.5G mobile network, reaching speeds of 1.7 Gbps, which means 2 times the premium speed of optical fiber.

- Launch of the PT Innovation Award, with the aim of contributing to the identification and promotion of Portuguese technological talent, both individual and at startup level.

2015

- Since June 2, 2015, PT Portugal has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Altice Group, a leading multinational telecommunications services provider with a presence in France, Israel, Belgium and Luxembourg, Portugal, the French Antilles / Indian Ocean Area and the Dominican Republic ("Overseas Territories") and Switzerland.

- SAPO BIZ is launched, a platform for micro-enterprises, SMEs and the general public that offers the tools needed to create an effective and sustainable digital presence, contributing to the digitalization of the Portuguese economy.

- MEO revolutionizes the TV viewing experience with the launch of a new user interface.

2014

- Portugal SGPS and Oi have reached an agreement on the definitive terms of the main contracts to be entered into following the Memorandum of Understanding. The conclusion of the definitive contracts was approved by Portugal Telecom's General Shareholders' Meeting held on September 8, 2014.

- Launch of the Global Connect Pack, a convergent offer that allows cost control, ensuring more flexibility and greater productivity for SMEs.

- The SAPO Portal, Portugal's Internet audience leader, is launching a new homepage with the aim of guaranteeing the best technological and usability experience for its users.

2013

- PT and Oi announce the combination of their businesses. The merger operation, which will result in the incorporation of PT SGPS into the combined entity, is a natural consequence of the industrial alliance between Portugal Telecom and Oi, established in 2010, and will result in the creation of a leading telecommunications operator, covering a geographical area with around 100 million customers.

- Launch of M4O, the first convergent offer of a quadruple play service, which includes TV, Internet, telephone and cell phone.

- Launch of the Automatic Recordings feature for MEO customers, where it is possible to view the previous seven days' programming.

- MEO Wallet, an electronic payment platform for various everyday situations.

- Inauguration of the PT Data Center in Covilhã, with the capacity to install more than 50,000 servers connected to PT's high-speed fiber optic network, with exceptional security and reliability conditions.

- Investment in the Submarine Cable infrastructure in the Azores, contributing to the development of the Autonomous Region, offering services supported by optical fiber and 4G.

2012

- Launch of the MEO Kanal service, allowing MEO customers to create public and private channels.

- Organization of the Portugal Telecom Technology and Innovation Conference in Lisbon, with the aim of demonstrating investments in cutting-edge technologies, new generation networks and the innovation roadmap for the B2C and B2B market segments.

- Launch of MEO Cloud, a free 16GB cloud service for everyone.

- Launch of the TMN drive application for smartphones with live traffic information, with free traffic for MEO customers.

2011

- PT's Fiber Optic Network is internationally awarded as the best and most innovative in Europe.

- TMN has the best national coverage and introduces 4G in real urban environments.

- PT presents Data Center to be installed in Covilhã, which will be one of the most modern in the world.

- MEO reaches 1 million customers, launches MEO Go and is considered the best national brand.

- PT launches the MEO Go service, which allows customers to watch television on their computer, smartphone or tablet, both inside and outside home.

2010

- PT presents 4th Generation Mobile (LTE) project and services that will allow speeds of 100 to 150 Mbp.

- PT installs fiber optics in one million homes.

- PT sells its 50% stake in VIVO to Telefónica and buys a stake in Brazilian company Oi.

- PT becomes the leader in Internet access in Portugal.

- PT presents Cloud Computing services.

- PT makes the first 100Gbps connection in Portugal, between the cities of Lisbon and Porto.

2009

- Launch of PT's optical fibre strategy, which will allow this technology to be taken to home and revolutionize the future of telecommunications in Portugal, associated with the launch of a new institutional image for the brand.

- TMN launches 1st smartphone with Android platform, once again a pioneer in Portugal.

- TMN reaches 7 million customers.

2008

- PT wins public tender for Digital Terrestrial Television.

- PT launches MEO satellite.

- TMN launches prepaid mobile broadband.

- Commercial launch of MEO, becoming a worldwide case-study.

2007

- Creation of Portugal Telecom's triple play service, MEO.

- PT resists takeover attempt by Sonaecom.

- TMN reaches 6 million customers.

- PT launches "Fibra até home" project, broadband access entirely over optical fiber.

2006

- PT presents the IPTV project, announcing the possibility that, in the future, customers will be able to enjoy voice, internet and television services over the telephone line.

2005

- PT launches the Voice over IP Service, VOIP, allowing voice and video calls between PCs through SAPO Messenger.

2004

- TMN launches the 3rd Mobile Generation and is Portugal's leading brand in mobile telecommunications. With i9 3G, TMN was the 3rd European operator to introduce the mobile video call service.

- PT Inovação presents a pioneering telemedicine solution, Medigraf.

- Portugal Telecom marks 10 years of existence.

2003

- Launch of PT Wi-Fi, designed to meet the growing mobility needs of customers and the first convergent service in broadband access via radio.

- The joint venture between Portugal Telecom and Telefónica de España is completed, giving rise to one of the largest mobile operators in Latin America, VIVO.

- PT Inovação develops a DSLAMi broadband access solution that allows simultaneous access to various voice, internet, television and video on demand services and functionalities via an analog line.

2002

- Launch of SAPO ADSL.

- The world's first interactive digital cable TV service.

2000

- The 5th and final phase of the company's privatization was completed, with PT's capital being privatized practically in its entirety. On December 12, Portugal Telecom, SA changed its corporate object to Sociedade Gestora de Participações Sociais, under the corporate name of Portugal Telecom, SGPS, SA.

- PT leads the telecommunications sector in Portugal and expands its business areas to new technologies, products and services, demonstrating its pioneering spirit beyond telephone and telegraph experiences.

- Portugal has 100% broadband coverage, making it the fourth country in the world to reach this target.

1999

- The 4th phase of PT's privatization is underway. In the operation, the State sells around 13.5% of the capital, equivalent to 25.65 million shares. There is also a 10% increase in the capital for the company's shareholders, from 950 to 1,045 million euros, through the issue of 19 million shares at 5 euros each. 44.65 million shares were placed on the market. The state has thus reduced its stake from 25.15% to around 11%.

- The SAPO Portal is the market leader on the Internet in Portugal.

- PT Inovação is created in Aveiro, giving continuity to the telecommunications skills center that already exists in that city.

- Portugal Telecom launched a prepaid cell phone service in Brazil through Telesp Celular, under the Baby brand, which would revolutionize mobile telecommunications in that country.

1998

- Portugal Telecom buys Telesp Celular in Brazil, thus beginning its expansion in that country.

1997

- The Sector Delimitation Law allows the state to hold less than 51% of the company's capital. Thus, the 3rd phase of privatization took place with the sale of around 26% of the shares, bringing the share capital in private hands to around 75%.

1996

- In June 1996, the second phase of PT's privatization took place, involving 21.74% of its capital. 49% of the company was privatized (93.1 million shares).

1995

- PT integrates the stake that Comunicações Nacionais held in the capital of Marconi (51.18%). On June 1, the first phase of privatization took place. In September, CN is dissolved and the Portugal Telecom shares it held are transferred to the state.

- TMN launches the world's first prepaid cell phone, the Mimo.

1994

- Portugal Telecom, SA (PT) is created, a single national telecommunications operator that brings together the companies in the sector previously owned by Comunicações Nacionais: Telecom Portugal, TLP and TDP.

- First experimental cable television broadcast in Portugal.

- The SAPO Portal was created at the University of Aveiro.

- Year in which the Internet took off in Portugal and Telepac launched its terminal Internet access service - maximum speed 9,600 bps.

1993

- Launch of the first Portuguese satellite, PoSat1.

- The world's third-largest fiber optic cable linking Portugal, Spain and South Africa goes into operation.

1992

- Telecommunications become autonomous from CTT and Telecom Portugal, SA is born.

- Portugal's telecommunications network was thus operated by three operators: TLP, which operated the telephone service in the Lisbon and Oporto areas; Telecom Portugal, which was responsible for the rest of national communications to Europe and the Mediterranean Basin; and Marconi, which provided intercontinental traffic.

- First fiber optic submarine cable system to be moored in Portugal.

- Launch of TMN's GSM digital network.

1991

- Teledifusora de Portugal (TDP) was born, with the mission of operating broadcasting infrastructures.

- Incorporation of TMN, Telecomunicações Móveis S.A.

- First Lisbon/Macau videoconference.

1990

- Inauguration of the public videoconferencing service at the Picoas Forum.

1989

- TLP is transformed into a public limited company, wholly owned by the state.

1970

- CTT will become a public company.

1968

- The Empresa Pública Telefones de Lisboa e Porto (TLP) was created. Correios, Telégrafos e Telefones (CTT) operated the telephone service in the rest of the country.

1925

- The Companhia Portuguesa Rádio Marconi (CPRM) was founded, taking over all the responsibilities of the previous concession.

1922

- A concession contract is signed with Marconi's Wireless Telegraphy Company for the operation of radio-telegraphy and wireless telephony.

1887

- The concession was transferred to APT - The Anglo Portuguese Telephone Company, which held it until 1968.

1882

- Edison Gower Bell Telephone Company of Europe Ltd sets up in Lisbon and Porto to operate its telephone service concessions.

1877

- The first telephone experiments in Portugal connected Carcavelos to the Central do Cabo in Lisbon.