Telephones and Internet in Portugal

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Telephones and Internet in Portugal

Below is information on:

Land Line Telephones

Portugal Telecom is the national supplier of traditional land line telephone services.

• Customer Care Residential Tel: 16 200
  Customer Care Business Tel: 16 206
  Technical Support Tel: 16 208
  e-mail
  Website

There are several other telecommunications companies in both the domestic and business market, although the line rentals are still owned by Portugal Telecom. It may be possible to get a more competitive rate.

• Novis Serviços de Telecomunicações, Lda,
  At: Estrada Outrela 118 Edificio Novis, 2790-114 Carnaxide
  Tel: 210 100 000
• World Telecom Sociedade de Telecomunicações e Multimédia, Lda
  At: Avenida da Liberdade 110, 1269-046 Lisbon
  Tel: 707 500 600
  (offers an English language service and paperless billing)

Connecting a telephone line with Portugal Telecom

The following information is required to get a standard land line in Portugal:

• Full name (Nome de Titular)
• Address (Morada)
• Passport details/Identity Card details (Passaporte/Bilhete de Identidade)
• Proof of Address (Utility bills and/or Residency Card) (Cartão de Residência/Comprovativo de Morada)
• Tax Number (NIF or CIF) (Numero de Contribuinte)
• Bank account details (Conta Bancária)

In towns and cities the phone line should be installed within two days.

• To find the address of a local Portugal Telecom Shop: Click here

Portugal Telecom has a separate division for the installation and management of business and corporate lines, Portugal Telecom Empresas. This service offers discounts and perks for new businesses. Applications can only be made if the client has a CIF number as proof of the business.

Portugal Telecom offers a digital ISDN line option called RDSI with various options for home and company use.

Billing

Whichever telephone company is used for the service, Portugal Telecom charges for the line rental on a monthly basis. Bills are sent out monthly and can be paid in the following ways:

• Via the ATM Multibanco system
• At the Post Office
• By Direct Debit

Note: In Portugal telephone calls are cheaper off-peak from 21:00-09:00 and on Sundays.

Some Handy Numbers

Mobile Telephone Providers

There are three mobile telephone operators in Portugal:

• TMN (Part of Portugal Telecom Multimedia)
  Tel: 217 914 400
  Tel: 1696 / 1096 (Customer Care Line)
  Fax: 217 914 500
  e-mail
  Website
• Optimus Telecom SA
  Tel: 1693 (Customer Care Line)
  Fax: 217 547 000
  e-mail
  Website
• Vodafone
  Tel: 16912
  e-mail
  Website

How to sign up for a mobile telephone

Mobile telephones are offered on contract and as pay-as-you-go. It is possible to sign up at a mobile providers shop (see the websites above for locations) or online. 

For pay-as-you-go services only personal details (name and address) are required; for a contract the following is necessary:

• Passport or Identity Card (Passaporte/Bilhete de Identidade)
• Proof of address (either a utility bill or a Residency Card) (Cartaõ de Residência)
• Tax number (Número de Contribuinte)
• Telephone details
• Fill out a form and/or a member of staff will enter the details into a computer data base

How to add credit to a mobile telephone

A phonecard with a reference number is issued when a phone is purchased.

Pay-as-you-go telephones can be topped up directly from a bank account at the ATM Multibanco system.

• Select Telemóveis and then one of the three companies TMN, Optimus, or Vodaphone
• Select Carregamento Cartões
• Key in the Mulibanco Reference Number (Referencia Multibanco) on the phonecard card (the one without the 91/93/96 prefix)
• Key in the quantity to be credited in Euros (Montante)
• Press Confirmar (Confirm)

Credit can also be added on a mobile telephone via the telephone with Multibanco Telecarga by dialling 1255 on the mobile and following the instructions and keying in the same information as when using a Multibanco ATM machine.

It is also possible to put credit on a mobile phone at one of the many mobile phone shops which accept cash and payment via Multibanco direct debit cards.

• To find a TMN shop: Click here
• To find an Optimus shop: Click here
• To find a Vodafone shop: Click here

Lost or stolen mobile phones

All mobile phones have a unique code, the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code. This belongs to the handset and is associated with a card, the SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card, which holds the telephone number assigned to a customer.

• A SIM card. Holds the telephone number and memory. Access can be protected by personalising the card with a 4-digit PIN number
• An IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity). This is a mobile telephone's unique identification number

The IMEI number provides protection if a phone is lost or stolen. The IMEI code is clearly shown on the paperwork at time of purchase. Note it down and keep it separate from the mobile. Or to find the IMEI number, enter: * # 0 6 # on the keypad.

The loss or theft of a mobile cell phone must be reported to the service provider. They will need the IMEI number or details of the SIM card. The service will be suspended and the telephone blocked making it impossible for anyone else to use it, and the phone may be traced. The owner is responsible for payment of any calls made until the SIM is blocked unless they have taken out insurance with the supplier.

Internet Providers

There are a number of ISDN conventional, ADSL broadband and wireless Internet brands in the Portuguese market. They are:

• Netcabo
  Part of Portugal Telecom's PT Multimédia TV cable company TV Cabo
• Sapo
  Also part of the Portugal Telecom PT Multimedia Group
• Telepac
• Claranet

Broadband Wireless

• PT WiFi is a wireless Internet service from Portugal Telecom aimed at laptops. It has over 850 Hotspots in key places such as business centres, hotels, conference and congress centres, shopping centres and airports allowing access online.
• Kanguru
• Novís

How to subscribe to the Internet in Portugal

Only residents can subscribe to an Internet service in Portugal. It is necessary to fill out a subscription form (Formulário de Adesão) and sign a contract.

The client is given a username and password.

Internet companies require all of the following documents:

• Full Name (Nome de Titular)
• Permanent/Temporary Address (Morada)
• Tax Number (Numero de Contribuinte –NIF)
• Proof of Residency from utility bills or Residency Card (Cartão de Residência/Comprovativo de Morada)
• Passport or ID Card (Passaporte/Bilhete de Identidade)
• Telephone contact (Contacto de Telefone)

How to cancel a contract

Internet service contracts may be cancelled by sending a letter or e-mail to the company providing:

• Full Name
• User Name
• ADSL telephone number
• Tax Number
• Address
• Telephone contact

The service will usually be cancelled one month after notification

Independent Telecommunications Watchdog

• ANACOM (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações)
  At: Avenida José Malhoa 12, 1099-017 Lisbon
  Tel: 217 211 000
  Fax: 217 211 001
  Website

Paying bills via the Multibanco ATM machines

Paying bills through the system of ATM Multibanco machines is easy and instant. Follow the steps below:

• Type in personal PIN number
• Select: Payment of Purchases & Services (Pagamento das Compras e Serviços)
• Type in the company's five digit reference number (Entidade) in the MB box on the back of the bill.
• Type in the customer reference number (Referência)
• Type in the amount (Montante)
• Press the Confirmation (Confirmar) button

The customer receives a receipt confirming that the amount on the bill was debited from the current account. This should be kept and attached to the bill as proof of payment.

Further Information

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Domestic Electricity in Portugal
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Services: Electricity, Gas & Water in Portugal