The Portuguese Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, issued a stern reminder to telecommunications operators today, stating that Portugal’s 5G rollout is far from complete. Speaking at the closing of Mastercard’s Innovation Centre of Excellence presentation in Lisbon, the Minister clarified that while the country claims to have 5G, it currently only possesses 30% of the necessary infrastructure for a full 5G Standalone (SA) deployment.
Pinto Luz emphasized that completing this network is essential for high-level “use cases” in industry, healthcare, and digital payments. Miguel Pinto Luz argued that political decision-makers must “pick up the pace” to provide legislative predictability for global investors.
The minister cited a recent shift in autonomous driving regulations—which were not permitted in Portugal until just last week—as an example of the legal hurdles that must be cleared to keep the country competitive as a destination for innovation.
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The Minister also highlighted several key legislative and strategic fronts the government is currently prioritizing:
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Drones and AI: New legislation is being drafted to regulate drone testing and airspace management, alongside the creation of “sandboxes” for Artificial Intelligence.
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European Gigafactory: Portugal is pursuing a 50-50 partnership with Spain to host one of Europe’s first five “gigafactories,” a move seen as vital for the nation’s industrial future.
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Data Centers: With over 30 data centers in the pipeline, the government is creating “fast tracks” for energy-intensive investments. However, the Minister warned that Portugal will not become a “data center farm” that consumes energy without giving back. Investors will be required to contribute to Portuguese science and the national business ecosystem.
Pinto Luz concluded by praising Mastercard’s decision to choose Lisbon, attributing the move to Portugal’s talent pool and the proactive leadership of local officials like Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas. He stressed that for Portugal to remain an attractive “early adopter” of technology, the state must continue to align its infrastructure and laws with the rapid pace of global innovation.
