ANACOM opens public consultation on fixed and mobile phone number portability

ANACOM has submitted for public consultation the draft regulation regarding nomadism, which allows end-users to use the fixed-location telephone service and the mobile telephone service through different access points and networks. The decision was approved by a resolution of the Board of Directors on August 25, 2026, and published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, no. 169, of September 1, 2026, via Notice no. 21556/2026/2.

Nomadism is defined as the possibility for the end-user to use an interpersonal communications service based on numbers in different locations and through different access networks. The measure aims to promote innovation in the national market, responding to the demand for greater flexibility and mobility, and stems from a regulatory procedure (IPR) initiated on August 13, 2025, whose contributions were taken into account.

Scope and covered services

The draft identifies the fixed-location telephone service and the mobile telephone service, as designated in the National Numbering Plan (PNN), as eligible for use in nomadism. VoWiFi, provided according to 3GPP and GSMA standards, is highlighted as a form of nomadic use of the mobile service.

Provision must be made exclusively by the company that offers the service to the end-user at the retail level, maintaining the chain of responsibility for the service and the number. Nomadic use ceases at the moment the contract for the respective service is terminated.

Rules of use and number control

Nomadic use is limited to access within the national territory whenever, for a consecutive period of four months, the service is used exclusively from access points outside the country. The limitation ceases automatically when use from an access point within the national territory is verified.

• Only numbers assigned secondarily within the scope of the service offering may be used in nomadism.
• For consumers, each number is assigned to a single nomadic use.
• For non-consumers, more than one use is permitted when the service is used from access points within the national territory.
• Nomadic communications must have a national origin and be controlled by the company providing the service.

Emergency communications

The draft establishes specific rules for emergency communications in nomadism, particularly regarding the ‘xy’ field of the routing number and the caller’s location data to be provided to the most appropriate PSAP. Whenever technically feasible, companies must provide complementary geographic coordinate data of the equipment.

Access to emergency services and harmonized numbers of social value must always be ensured, including for services in Portugal once they are implemented. ANACOM will monitor the evolution of nomadism and its impact on emergency communications, and may adopt additional measures if necessary.

Participation and impact

Interested parties may send contributions, in writing and in the Portuguese language, preferably by email to regulamento.nomadismo@anacom.pt. The provision of nomadism is an option for companies, not an obligation, and the regulation may enter into force on the day following its publication.

The project also amends Regulation No. 255/2017, of May 16, by adding Annex 8, to collect annual statistical information on the numbers used in nomadism. The measure balances market flexibility with the control of numbering resources and user protection, in a sector where there is an increase in the abusive use of numbers in communication identification.

Source: Diário da República, 2nd series, no. 169, of September 1, 2026, Economy and Territorial Cohesion section (official reference: Notice no. 21556/2026/2).