In a statement sent to the Lusa news, dstelecom indicates that, with the expansion of the multi-operator fibre optic network, coverage in these municipalities, where the company has been operating since 2014, “will be significantly reinforced”.

“Through this multi-operator infrastructure, communities will not only be connected to the future through digital highways, but will also have the freedom to choose between the main telecommunications operators and the service packages that best suit their needs,” says the company.

In the Minho Valley, in the municipality of Monção, “the fibre optic network will reach around 2,500 new homes, bringing the total number of families with access to approximately 16,000”.

“The parishes of Merufe, Podame, Riba de Mouro and Tangil now have coverage for the first time, thus reaching a coverage rate of 98% in the municipality”.

In the neighbouring municipality of Melgaço, “the intervention will ensure the arrival of the network to more than a thousand new homes, in a total of around 7,700 families with access to the multi-operator fibre network, which will thus reach 90% of the population.”

In the Lima valley, the operation in the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez “will benefit around 600 new homes, consolidating the total of more than 17,800 families, equivalent to 97% of the population, with access to state-of-the-art broadband services”.

In Ponte da Barca, fibre optics “will reach approximately 1,200 new homes, reaching a total of around 9,100 families”.

“The parishes of Britelo, Lindoso and Entre Ambos-os-Rios will be included in the new coverage, which will allow 98% of the municipality to have access to the fibre optic network”, says the company.

In addition to guaranteeing high-speed internet, the expansion of the network will allow residents of the four municipalities to choose between different telecommunications operators, which will promote competition and guarantee access to better prices and a greater diversity of services.

“With this new expansion, we want to provide quality connectivity and foster competitiveness and innovation in areas that are traditionally less favoured in terms of technological infrastructure. This is another step in our commitment to promote digital inclusion and reduce inequalities in internet access,” says dstelecom’s CEO, Ricardo Salgado, quoted in the note.