When I moved to Portugal, the biggest challenge I faced was getting an internet subscription.
This is because it is essential for work as well as for research.
I had researched the internet connection for my phone and fixed line at home beforehand, and thought that MEO seemed like a good option, but when I actually walked around the area, I found a surprisingly large number of telecoms providers, so I’ll share them with you.
Three major fixed-line carriers in Portugal (probably)
In Japan, this applies to softbank, docomo and au (e.g. NURO Hikari, OCN, etc.). There are large shops all over the country and coverage is wide and reliable.
However, as in Japan, there is a two-year contract and prices tend to be reasonable.
MEO
Largest internet operator in Portugal. Has the fastest download/upload speeds, plus the largest coverage.
There is a fibre-optic network in Lisbon and even if you live in a rural area.
NOS
NOS is also the largest internet operator alongside MEOs. It is also second to MEOs in terms of transmission speed. In more detail, fixed line latency achieves the highest latency speeds.
It may be for those who want to watch TV, as there are many cable TV options.
Vodafone
An international brand and internet operator with stable speeds in urban areas.
Vodafone is the only one of the three major carriers to offer internet-only contracts and cheap price packages, so my home fixed line is Vodafone.
MVNOs (low-cost services) in Portugal
Like povo, Rakuten Mobile and Japan Communications in Japan. It is possible to use 100GB or unlimited communications at a low cost.
WOO
Woo is owned by NOS.
Voted Best Product in the 2023 Tailored Rates category and 2023 Consumer Choice in the Mobile Rates category, Woo is the first 100% digital operator. It is a NOS-owned smartphone app for customers who only need internet.
The app allows customers to easily join in just three minutes, without royalties, change or deactivate their subscription, check their balance and set their router (for fixed internet) and internet speed. In fact, it is possible to join Woo even if you already have a contract with another operator. Woo is available in the country and in more than 120 countries with which Portugal has roaming agreements.
The smartphone plans include.
・100 GB + 2500 minutes of calls: €5
・unlimited (unlimited) + 5000 minutes of calls: €7
Amigo
Amigo owned by Vodafone.
It was launched by Vodafone Portugal in November 2023 as the main competitor to Woo. The operator offers several mobile and fixed fibre internet plans. There is an option to combine a fixed fibre internet plan with a mobile plan, but it is also possible to choose a mobile network only at very competitive prices.
As with Woo, no royalties are required for any of the plans and Amigo has an app that allows you to easily change your tariff for free. The main difference between the two is that Amigo only works with postpaid mobile plans and bills are sent via email.
The mobile plans include.
・100GB + 5000 minutes of calls: €5
・unlimited (unlimited) + 5000 minutes of calls: €7
Moche
Moche, owned by MEO.
It is a telecoms operator offering mobile internet and calling rates with a focus on younger audiences.
The phone plans include.
・100 GB + 1000 minutes of calls: €11
・500 GB + 1000 minutes of calls: €15
Summary
Low-cost services in Portugal are strong. The prices are considerably lower than in Japan.
Also, the network is well connected in the Lisbon area and we never complain about speeds. (Other areas have not been tried yet.)
Low-cost services also offer fixed lines, but the fibre-optic network often does not reach even the outskirts of Lisbon.
Therefore, the conclusion is that it seems a good idea to choose between Low Cost for the smartphone and MEO, NOS or Vodafone for the fixed line.
