It was at a meeting that brought together the Executive Committee of Altice Portugal, the Regional Government of the Azores and some of the region's leading entrepreneurs that Ana Figueiredo - for the first time in the Azores as CEO of Altice Portugal - announced the new wave of investment in networks, technology and innovation, and support initiatives in the areas of sustainability and social responsibility that Altice will be bringing to the region. Altice Portugal plans to invest around 8 million euros, in 2022 and 2023, in the expansion of fibre optics and the modernization of the entire mobile network in the archipelago. This is a commitment that has been made between the company and the Regional Government, and which places the Azores at the top of the priorities for investment in innovation and infrastructure.
"The Azores are at the top of our priorities for investment in innovation and infrastructure with the aim of creating strategic value. Today, the Azores have some of the highest coverage rates in the country. We want to continue to distinguish this archipelago, providing it with the best technological conditions for businesses and families," said Ana Figueiredo, CEO of Altice Portugal. Investment in fibre optic infrastructures and networks Currently with one of the highest coverage rates in the country, with around 97% fibre optic coverage, Altice Portugal continues to invest in the expansion of the largest fibre optic network in the ARA, in the modernization and expansion of the 4G mobile network and in the new 5G generation.
Ribeira Grande, Ponta Delgada and Lagoa are now the municipalities covered by this new wave of investment from Altice Portugal. With this reinforcement, the Municipality of Ribeira Grande will have a new mobile site in the parish of Fenais da Ajuda and the activation of the 5G network by the end of 2022. The Municipality of Ponta Delgada, the largest municipality in the Azores, will now have more than 95% fiber optic coverage and three new mobile sites in the parishes of Santo António, Ajuda da Bretanha and Candelária. Finally, the Municipality of Lagoa will have more than 95% fiber optic coverage by the end of 2022, and three new mobile sites in the parishes of Cabouco, Água de Pau and Lagoa, in order to strengthen voice and mobile data coverage in and around those areas. In total, 14 new mobile network stations are planned for the next two years to reinforce coverage on the islands of Santa Maria, São Jorge, Faial, Terceira, Pico and São Miguel.
In terms of the new 5G mobile network, the Azores currently have 6 stations, and by the end of 2022, a further 22 stations are expected to be activated, with the aim of placing this service on all islands and in all municipalities, covering around 75% of the population. In addition to telecommunications, networks and infrastructures, Altice Portugal also identified the establishment of business partnerships with academia, as well as social responsibility actions that were established during this tour, as key to its intervention: - Partnership between Altice Labs and the University of the Azores with a view to establishing scientific-technological collaboration actions, starting with cooperation in postgraduate training, internships within the scope of collaborative R&D projects and the exchange of specialists.
- Support for innovation and entrepreneurship through the renewal of the cooperation partnership between Altice Labs, Altice Empresas and NONAGON - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia de São Miguel.
- Announcement of the agreement between Altice - Associação de Cuidados de Saúde and Grupo SATA. SATA Group employees and their immediate families can now count on the ACS Multicare network and the services provided at the ACS Clinical Centers and Stomatology and Ophthalmology Centers in Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Faro, Ponta Delgada and Funchal.
- Offering technological equipment to Lar da Mãe de Deus and Centro Social e Paroquial da Fajã de Baixo, with a view to creating equal opportunities for all young people, responding to their needs, guaranteeing and contributing to the digitalization of education and society.
- Aware that everyone should have access to the practice of sport, as it promotes healthy lifestyle habits and improves people's quality of life, Altice Portugal will donate an adapted surfboard to Santa home da Misericórdia da Ribeira Grande and two boards from the MEO Surf League to Clube Naval de Rabo de Peixe. The visit by Altice Portugal's Executive Committee is also taking place as part of the 'Technology: the next generation' conference, promoted by Altice Empresas.
The conference, which brought together businesspeople, customers from the region, as well as some of the leading experts in the areas of Security, Tourism, Smart Cities and Health, was a moment of excellence that served to present and reinforce Altice Portugal's strategy for the business segment. A strategy geared towards the business-to-business market and with a very significant impact on the business fabric of the Azores.