The sector either consolidates, or some operator closes its doors, says Luís Lopes. On the one hand, Vodafone is an “appetizing” asset; on the other, it has a “strong” position in the market, which makes it a potential buyer.
The executive president (CEO) of Vodafone Portugal, Luis Lopesconsidered this Thursday that, in the long term, there is no market in Portugal for four telecommunications operators.
“If you ask me in the long term, I don’t believe it, there is no market in Portugal for four operators“, stated the manager, in a meeting with journalists at the company’s headquarters in Parque das Nações, in Lisbon, regarding the celebration of the company’s 33rd anniversary, which “either consolidate or close doorssomething has to happen”, continued Luís Lopes.
It is the scale that makes operators more competitive, explains the CEO. Asked about the operator’s position – consolidates or is consolidated – recalled that Vodafone Portugal is a desirable asset” — but on the other hand, this strong position puts her in the position of consolidating potential.
“Vodafone, due to its position in Portugal — it has a very strong position — It is a very attractive asset, in my opinion. But this strong position also places it in a position of potential consolidator, as we tried to do two years ago”, he added, referring to , which did not receive the approval of the Competition Authority.
Nowo would, in 2024, become , which with the operation was consolidated in Portugal as fourth telecommunications operatorbehind Vodafone, Altice and NOS.
“Most countries have three operatorsPortugal granted licenses to have five, In the middle of the game the fifth operator gave up and initially wanted to be bought by us, it was not possible and it was acquired by someone else, becoming four”, recalls the CEO.
“In Europe there is a structural problembecause there are no operators with sufficient scale that can face the challenges that other operators, particularly in Asian and North American economies, have”, he adds.
In other words, “these operators operate with scales that allow them efficiencies much superior, therefore they are able to produce a return that allows them to be much faster and more capable of investing”, he concludes.
