Lisbon, Feb. 6, 2026 (Lusa) - The National Communications Authority (Anacom) recommends that operators implement temporary national roaming, allowing users to use other operators' networks while there are service failures due to bad weather.
Anacom announced a series of recommended measures for telecommunications operators on Friday, following storms Kristin and Leonardo, also recommending that telecommunications companies communicate the status of networks and services during the disaster via local radio stations, "providing information on the prospect of restoration, indicating, as far as possible, the locations where restoration has already taken place".
The entity also encourages the creation of mechanisms to identify and deal with "particular speed difficulties in accessing services by users with special needs" and in situations of particular social vulnerability.
"It is recommended that entities owning infrastructure suitable for the installation of electronic communications networks in the affected areas speed up response times and simplify the procedures associated with requests for the installation of cables in ducts and poles under their respective access offers, in order to facilitate the rapid restoration of electronic communications services," reads a statement.
Anacom proposes to the government that users of telecommunications services should have the legal right to be compensated when a service interruption lasts more than 24 hours and to cancel their contract at no cost if the interruption lasts more than 15 days.
To this end, the authority has submitted a legislative proposal to the government to approve measures in response to the effects of Storm Kristin in these locations, stipulating that, for three months, operators shall not suspend service to end users for non-payment of bills, among other measures.
Anacom also proposed to the government that it approve a fee exemption for the issuance of temporary radio station licences.
The communications regulator also said in a statement that it is prioritising processing applications for temporary spectrum licences in areas affected by adverse weather conditions.
Thirteen people have died in Portugal since last week as a result of storms Kristin and Leonardo, which also left many hundreds injured and homeless.
The total or partial destruction of homes, businesses and equipment, fallen trees and structures, closed roads, schools and transport services, and power, water and communications outages are the main material consequences of the storm.
The Centro, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, and Alentejo regions are the most affected.
The government has extended the state of emergency until the 15th for 68 municipalities, which will benefit from support measures worth up to €2.5 billion.
The state of emergency in mainland Portugal was initially declared between 28 January and 1 February for around 60 municipalities, and was then extended until the 8th for 68 municipalities, and again until 15 February.
AJR/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
