Mobile data consumption in Portugal shifts toward essential infrastructure

Mobile data usage in Portugal has seen a significant surge, with the average user consuming 18.5GB per month in the first quarter of this year—an increase of nearly one-third compared to the previous year. According to Anacom, total mobile data traffic grew by 39%, while voice calls and SMS usage declined by approximately 20% during the same period.

This shift suggests that mobile devices have transitioned from simple communication tools to primary gateways for digital life. Data is increasingly used to support essential daily activities, including remote work, cloud document management, video conferencing, real-time navigation, digital payments, and access to public services.

As mobile data becomes fundamental to modern routines, there is a growing debate regarding whether data should continue to be sold as a rationed package, similar to traditional minutes and messages, or be treated as essential infrastructure. Proponents of the latter argue that access should be simple and accessible to promote digital inclusion, rather than being restricted by long-term contracts or limited data caps.