2022 is the year of the commercial launch of MEO's 5G network, Altice Portugal's consumer segment brand, at the service of all Portuguese. For Altice Portugal, 5G is yet another reason to promote a single-speed country. And Madeira is a priority in terms of equal access and proximity to the territory.
Funchal has had access to 5G since January 1st, with a free trial period running until March 31st. Currently, around half of Funchal's population can now access MEO's 5G service.
Altice Portugal believes that technology is a facilitator of social and territorial cohesion, which is why investment in the robustness and expansion of its networks has been continuous and constant. Investments in communications infrastructure in the Autonomous Region will reach around 40 million euros by 2022.
It should be remembered that Altice Portugal and Madeira have been linked by 25 years of technological innovation, with the arrival of the mobile network in the archipelago, and the transition to the fifth generation of mobile communications continues to position the Autonomous Region as a technological reference in Portugal.
This commitment to Madeira was materialized, at the end of 2021, in several moments led by the Executive Chairman of Altice Portugal, Alexandre Fonseca - in the areas of innovation, infrastructure, health and social responsibility - which were attended by the President of the Regional Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque. The signing of five protocols guaranteed the continued expansion of the fiber optic network and the mobile network, positioning Altice Portugal as the largest investor in technology and communications at the service of the Madeirans.
Madeira already has some of the highest coverage rates in the country, and this year fiber optic coverage will be almost complete. Altice Portugal has also invested heavily in the mobile network, guaranteeing 99.8% coverage of the 4G network in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, which will be reinforced with 12 new stations in Funchal, Santa Cruz, Ribeira Brava and Câmara de Lobos in 2022.