MEO, a prominent telecommunications service in Portugal, is a brand under Altice Portugal, formerly known as Portugal Telecom. The company has undergone several transformations since its inception. Initially launched as TMN (Telecomunicações Móveis Nacionais) in 1991, it was Portugal's first and largest mobile network operator. In 2007, MEO was introduced following the separation of PT Comunicações and PT Multimédia, which later became ZON and is now known as NOS. The brand MEO was fully integrated in 2014 when TMN was rebranded to MEO. MEO offers a wide range of services, including television, internet, telephone, and mobile services. Its headquarters are located in Lisbon, Portugal.
Country
Portugal
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Ownership
Altice Europe
MEO portugal logo

3G Network

MEO launched its 3G network in Portugal in April 2006, utilising the UMTS 2100 MHz frequency band. The network provided enhanced mobile data services using HSPA+ in June 2009. MEO's 3G network coverage extended across major urban areas, ensuring widespread access to high-speed mobile internet. However, as technology evolved, MEO began phasing out its 3G services. On September 4, 2023, MEO started the process of shutting down its 3G network, with the complete discontinuation expected by January 31, 2024. This move was part of a broader strategy to focus on more advanced technologies like 4G and 5G.

Network Frequency Band Status
B1 (2100 MHz)
Shut Down
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

MEO launched its 4G LTE network on March 12, 2012, initially using the 2.6 GHz frequency band. The rollout quickly expanded to include the 800 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, significantly enhancing coverage and capacity. By April 2012, MEO's 4G network covered over 80% of the population. In October 2014, MEO introduced LTE-Advanced technology, achieving speeds of up to 300 Mbps through carrier aggregation of 20 MHz in bands 7 and 3. Some sites offered 225 Mbps using 20 MHz in band 7 and 10 MHz in band 20. MEO's 4G network continued to evolve, with the company conducting tests in November 2016 that achieved download speeds of 1.7 Gbps using LTE-Advanced Pro technology, featuring 5C CA, 256QAM, and 4x4 MIMO.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Max. Channel Bandwidth Status Known EARFCNs
B1 (2100 MHz)
20
Active
500
B3 (1800 MHz)
20
Active
1700
B7 (2600 MHz)
20
Active
3350
B8 (900 MHz)
5
Active
3749
B20 (800 MHz)
15
Active
6200
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

MEO launched its 5G network on January 1, 2022, following successful trials with Huawei in 2018 using the 3.6 GHz spectrum, which achieved download speeds of 1.5 Gbps. The 5G network rollout included the deployment of the n78 (3500 MHz) band, known for its high capacity and throughput capabilities. MEO also utilised the n28 (700 MHz) band, which provides excellent range and building penetration. By 2023, MEO's 5G network was available in all district capitals, with 21% of its sites equipped with 5G technology. The network supports advanced features such as massive MIMO and beam-forming to optimise performance. MEO's 5G services are part of a broader strategy to ensure comprehensive coverage and high-speed connectivity across Portugal.

Network Frequency Band Max. Channel Bandwidth Status
n1 (2100 MHz)
20
Active
n3 (1800 MHz)
20
Active
n28 (700 MHz)
5
Active
n78 (3500 MHz)
90
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch