Portugal’s NOS to cut capex to minimum if 5G auction rules prevail, CFO says

LISBON: Portuguese telecoms firm NOS will cut investments to a minimum and carry out a cost-cutting restructuring in 2021 if the rules of a 5G frequency license auction the provider deems ‘unfair’ are not reversed, its CFO said on Thursday.

Portugal’s regulator ANACOM has reserved a spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1,800 Mhz bands for new entrants – framed as a push to encourage competition and improve services.

Under the rules, long-time market players Altice, Vodafone and NOS will have to share their infrastructure and offer national roaming to the new entrants’ customers.