Portugal Reshuffles 3.6 GHz Spectrum as DIGI Consolidates 80 MHz into Contiguous 5G Block
Portugal has completed an important restructuring of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band, allowing DIGI Portugal to consolidate previously separated frequency holdings into a single contiguous 80 MHz block.
The Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ANACOM) approved the final change on 14 July 2026. Under the decision, a 40 MHz block previously assigned to DIGI at 3480–3520 MHz moves downward to 3440–3480 MHz.
DIGI already holds the immediately adjacent 3400–3440 MHz frequencies. As a result, the operator's two 40 MHz holdings become one continuous 80 MHz assignment extending from 3400 MHz to 3480 MHz.
The decision does not increase the amount of 3.6 GHz spectrum controlled by DIGI. Instead, it changes the frequency position of part of the company's existing holdings, reducing fragmentation and creating a technically more efficient spectrum configuration for 5G deployment.
Portugal's 2026 DIGI Spectrum Reshuffle at a Glance
| Category | Before Reshuffle | After Reshuffle |
|---|---|---|
| DIGI original 3.6 GHz holding | 3400–3440 MHz | 3400–3440 MHz |
| 40 MHz acquired from NOWO | 3480–3520 MHz | 3440–3480 MHz |
| Total spectrum | 80 MHz | 80 MHz |
| Spectrum configuration | Two separated 40 MHz blocks | One contiguous 80 MHz block |
| Final DIGI frequency range | 3400–3440 MHz + 3480–3520 MHz | 3400–3480 MHz |
From Fragmented Spectrum to a Continuous 80 MHz Channel
The technical significance of ANACOM's decision is best understood by looking at DIGI's previous frequency position.
DIGI entered Portugal's mobile market with 40 MHz at 3400–3440 MHz following the country's 2021 multi-band 5G auction. Several years later, its acquisition of NOWO brought another 40 MHz of 3.6 GHz spectrum into the group, but that spectrum was located at 3480–3520 MHz.
The result was an 80 MHz total holding split into two separate blocks:
| Holding | Frequency | Bandwidth | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIGI spectrum | 3400–3440 MHz | 40 MHz | 2021 5G auction |
| Former NOWO spectrum | 3480–3520 MHz | 40 MHz | Transferred to DIGI in 2025 |
| Total | Non-contiguous | 80 MHz | - |
ANACOM's 2026 decision moves the former NOWO block directly next to DIGI's original frequencies.
The resulting assignment is considerably simpler:
| Operator | Final Frequency Range | Total Bandwidth | Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIGI Portugal | 3400–3480 MHz | 80 MHz | Contiguous TDD spectrum |
Why Spectrum Contiguity Matters for 5G
The total amount of spectrum is unchanged, but contiguous spectrum can be considerably easier to use efficiently than the same bandwidth divided into separate frequency blocks.
The 3.6 GHz band forms part of the core European mid-band ecosystem for 5G. Modern 5G New Radio systems can operate with wide channels in this frequency range, making large contiguous assignments particularly valuable.
An 80 MHz continuous holding gives DIGI greater flexibility when configuring its 5G radio network. Subject to the operator's network design, equipment and applicable technical conditions, it can potentially support a wide NR carrier without having to rely on aggregation between separated spectrum blocks.
This can simplify several areas of radio-network operation:
- carrier configuration;
- radio-resource management;
- base-station planning;
- spectrum utilisation efficiency;
- equipment configuration; and
- future network capacity expansion.
Contiguity does not create additional spectrum or automatically increase coverage. Its value comes from allowing the available bandwidth to be used in a less fragmented form.
80 MHz Places DIGI Close to the Preferred 5G Mid-Band Channel Size
Large continuous channels are especially useful in the 3.4–3.8 GHz range because 5G networks are designed to take advantage of substantially wider radio carriers than earlier mobile technologies.
A frequently referenced objective for efficient 5G mid-band deployment is access to around 80–100 MHz of contiguous spectrum per operator.
DIGI's new 80 MHz configuration therefore creates a spectrum position well suited to high-capacity 5G deployment without changing the overall quantity of frequency resources already available to the operator.
The 80 MHz position can support network capacity in densely populated areas and other high-demand environments where the propagation advantages of lower bands are less important than throughput and spectrum efficiency.
The Reshuffle Builds on DIGI's 2021 Portuguese Spectrum Entry
DIGI originally entered Portugal's spectrum market through the multi-band auction completed in 2021, participating at the time through Dixarobil Telecom.
Among several frequency awards, the company obtained 40 MHz at 3400–3440 MHz in the 3.6 GHz band.
| Original 2021 DIGI Award | Bandwidth |
|---|---|
| 900 MHz | 2 × 5 MHz |
| 1800 MHz | 2 × 5 MHz |
| 2600 MHz FDD | 2 × 5 MHz |
| 2600 MHz TDD | 25 MHz |
| 3.6 GHz | 40 MHz at 3400–3440 MHz |
This spectrum portfolio provided the foundation for DIGI's own mobile network development in Portugal.
NOWO Acquisition Added a Second 40 MHz 3.6 GHz Block
DIGI's spectrum position changed substantially following its acquisition of Cabonitel, the company that controlled NOWO Communications.
NOWO had also participated in Portugal's 2021 5G auction and held spectrum across the 1800 MHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.6 GHz bands.
ANACOM subsequently approved transfers of those spectrum rights to DIGI.
| Former NOWO Spectrum Transferred to DIGI | Bandwidth |
|---|---|
| 1800 MHz | 2 × 10 MHz |
| 2600 MHz FDD | 2 × 5 MHz |
| 3.6 GHz | 40 MHz |
The 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz transfers were approved by ANACOM in December 2024, while the remaining 40 MHz right in the 3.6 GHz band was transferred in January 2025.
Once the final 3.6 GHz transfer was completed, NOWO ceased to hold radio spectrum usage rights of this type, while DIGI became responsible for the inherited licence conditions.
The Former NOWO Block Was Located at 3480–3520 MHz
At the time it was awarded through Portugal's 2021 auction, NOWO's 40 MHz 3.6 GHz allocation occupied 3480–3520 MHz.
After the licence was transferred to DIGI, the frequency position remained unchanged. DIGI therefore controlled two different 40 MHz blocks separated from each other within the same band.
This fragmented arrangement created the basis for DIGI's subsequent request to ANACOM.
| Stage | DIGI 3.6 GHz Position |
|---|---|
| After 2021 auction | 3400–3440 MHz |
| After NOWO spectrum transfer in 2025 | 3400–3440 MHz + 3480–3520 MHz |
| After 2026 reshuffle | 3400–3480 MHz contiguous |
DIGI Requests a Change in Frequency Position, Not Additional Spectrum
DIGI formally asked ANACOM to alter the assignment of the 40 MHz block it had received through the NOWO transfer.
The request did not seek a larger spectrum holding. Instead, DIGI proposed relocating the existing 3480–3520 MHz assignment to 3440–3480 MHz.
The difference is fundamental from a regulatory perspective.
A spectrum transfer changes the holder of a usage right. A new spectrum award creates additional rights. In this case, neither occurs: DIGI remains the licence holder and continues to control the same 40 MHz of bandwidth, but its position within the 3.6 GHz band changes.
ANACOM Launches Consultation in March 2026
ANACOM initially approved its draft position on DIGI's request on 24 March 2026.
The regulator proposed to accept the frequency change and submitted the proposal to public consultation before taking a final decision.
The consultation was announced on 27 March and remained open until 12 May 2026.
This procedure allowed interested operators and other stakeholders to comment on whether changing the frequency position could affect competition, spectrum efficiency, interference management or existing rights within the band.
Final Approval Arrives on 14 July 2026
After considering the consultation procedure, ANACOM adopted its final decision on 14 July 2026.
The regulator approved the movement of the 40 MHz assignment from 3480–3520 MHz to 3440–3480 MHz and authorised the corresponding amendment to DIGI's radio spectrum usage title.
The change is implemented through Endorsement No. 4 to ANACOM Spectrum Usage Rights Title No. 04/2021.
| Regulatory Step | Date |
|---|---|
| DIGI request assessed by ANACOM | 2026 |
| Draft decision approved | 24 March 2026 |
| Public consultation announced | 27 March 2026 |
| Consultation deadline | 12 May 2026 |
| Final ANACOM decision | 14 July 2026 |
| Updated decision information published | 20 July 2026 |
No Auction and No New Spectrum Purchase
The 2026 process should not be described as a spectrum auction or as a new spectrum purchase by DIGI.
No additional bandwidth was sold by the Portuguese state and the final decision did not increase DIGI's spectrum holding.
The transaction history consists of two distinct regulatory developments:
- DIGI previously acquired spectrum rights held by NOWO following the broader corporate acquisition; and
- ANACOM subsequently approved a change in the frequency position of the 40 MHz 3.6 GHz block.
The second step is therefore best understood as spectrum reconfiguration or reshuffling.
Before and After: DIGI's 3.6 GHz Portfolio
| Before July 2026 | After July 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| First block | 3400–3440 MHz | 3400–3440 MHz |
| Second block | 3480–3520 MHz | 3440–3480 MHz |
| Total bandwidth | 80 MHz | 80 MHz |
| Number of separate frequency segments | 2 | 1 contiguous segment |
| Overall span containing DIGI spectrum | 3400–3520 MHz with fragmentation | 3400–3480 MHz continuous |
The Change Also Releases DIGI's Previous 3480–3520 MHz Position
Once the reshuffle takes effect, the 3480–3520 MHz frequencies cease to form part of DIGI's assignment.
ANACOM's decision concerns the relocation of DIGI's rights rather than a simultaneous award of the vacated 40 MHz range to another operator. Any future use or assignment of frequencies no longer included in DIGI's licence would therefore depend on separate spectrum-management decisions under the applicable Portuguese regulatory framework.
Portugal's 3.6 GHz Band Is the Core Capacity Layer for 5G
The wider 3400–3800 MHz range is one of the principal spectrum resources supporting 5G deployment in Portugal and elsewhere in Europe.
The band offers significantly larger contiguous channel opportunities than traditional mobile bands such as 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz or 1800 MHz.
This makes 3.6 GHz particularly suitable for:
- high-capacity 5G mobile broadband;
- dense urban deployment;
- high-traffic locations;
- fixed wireless access;
- enterprise connectivity; and
- future standalone 5G services requiring greater radio capacity.
The trade-off is propagation. Frequencies at 3.6 GHz generally provide shorter range and weaker building penetration than sub-1-GHz mobile spectrum. Operators therefore commonly combine the band with lower-frequency resources that provide broader geographic coverage.
DIGI's Portuguese Portfolio Now Combines Coverage and Capacity Bands
The reshuffled 3.6 GHz spectrum forms only one layer of DIGI's Portuguese mobile spectrum portfolio.
The company's holdings extend across several frequency ranges with different network characteristics.
| Band | Role in Mobile Network |
|---|---|
| 900 MHz | Low-band coverage and indoor connectivity |
| 1800 MHz | Coverage and capacity |
| 2600 MHz FDD | Additional mobile broadband capacity |
| 2600 MHz TDD | High-capacity TDD layer |
| 3.6 GHz | Primary high-capacity 5G mid-band layer |
The combination allows DIGI to use lower-frequency spectrum for reach while relying on wider mid-band channels where substantially greater network capacity is required.
Contiguity Can Reduce Dependence on Intra-Band Carrier Aggregation
When an operator controls separated blocks within the same band, one option is to combine them through carrier aggregation if the network equipment and device ecosystem support the required configuration.
Carrier aggregation is an established feature of modern LTE and 5G systems, but a single contiguous spectrum block can simplify radio configuration compared with combining multiple separated carriers.
After the reshuffle, DIGI can potentially configure its 80 MHz holding as a wider continuous NR carrier rather than treating the two 40 MHz positions independently, subject to applicable technical parameters and network design.
This can reduce fragmentation-related overhead and provide greater flexibility in how available radio resources are allocated to users.
No Change to DIGI's Total 3.6 GHz Spectrum Quantity
The most important numerical point is that DIGI does not gain additional 3.6 GHz bandwidth from ANACOM's July 2026 decision.
| Metric | Before Decision | After Decision | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total DIGI 3.6 GHz bandwidth | 80 MHz | 80 MHz | 0 MHz |
| Contiguous bandwidth | 40 MHz maximum per individual block | 80 MHz | +40 MHz contiguous depth |
| Separate spectrum segments | 2 | 1 | Reduced fragmentation |
The value of the regulatory action therefore lies in spectrum quality and configuration rather than spectrum quantity.
Part of a Broader Consolidation Following DIGI's Acquisition of NOWO
The 3.6 GHz change is the latest stage in a multi-step restructuring of spectrum following DIGI's acquisition of the company controlling NOWO.
The sequence began with the transfer of NOWO's 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz rights, followed by the transfer of its 3.6 GHz licence and finally the repositioning of that 3.6 GHz block.
| Regulatory Development | Date |
|---|---|
| ANACOM approves transfer of NOWO 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz rights to DIGI | 23 December 2024 |
| ANACOM approves transfer of NOWO 3.6 GHz rights to DIGI | 21 January 2025 |
| ANACOM approves draft reshuffle of former NOWO 3.6 GHz block | 24 March 2026 |
| ANACOM approves final 3.6 GHz frequency reshuffle | 14 July 2026 |
Taken together, the decisions integrate spectrum originally awarded separately to DIGI and NOWO into a more consolidated portfolio under one mobile network operator.
A More Efficient Spectrum Layout Without a New Award Process
Spectrum management does not end when frequencies are auctioned and licences are issued. Corporate transactions, network consolidation, technology migration and changes in spectrum availability can create reasons to reorganise frequency positions years later.
Portugal's 2026 DIGI decision provides a clear example.
The quantity of spectrum does not change, no new competitive auction is required and ownership remains with the same operator. What changes is the exact position of one frequency block so that the combined holding can be used more efficiently.
This type of spectrum rearrangement can become increasingly relevant as European operators consolidate legacy holdings and seek wider contiguous channels for 5G and future mobile technologies.
Summary of Portugal's 2026 DIGI 3.6 GHz Spectrum Reshuffle
| Category | Final Result |
|---|---|
| Country | Portugal |
| Regulator | ANACOM |
| Operator | DIGI Portugal |
| Band | 3.6 GHz / 3400–3800 MHz |
| Type of procedure | Administrative spectrum reassignment / reshuffling |
| Previous position of affected block | 3480–3520 MHz |
| New position of affected block | 3440–3480 MHz |
| Bandwidth moved | 40 MHz |
| DIGI's existing adjacent block | 3400–3440 MHz |
| Final contiguous DIGI holding | 3400–3480 MHz |
| Total DIGI 3.6 GHz bandwidth after reshuffle | 80 MHz |
| Additional spectrum acquired through 2026 decision | None |
| Origin of relocated 40 MHz block | Former NOWO spectrum transferred to DIGI in 2025 |
| Relevant spectrum title | ANACOM RURS/DUER No. 04/2021 |
| Implementing amendment | Endorsement No. 4 |
| Draft decision | 24 March 2026 |
| Public consultation deadline | 12 May 2026 |
| Reshuffling process concluded | 14 July 2026 |
Outlook for Portugal's 3.6 GHz Spectrum
The July 2026 decision leaves DIGI with a considerably cleaner mid-band spectrum position than it held after integrating NOWO's licences.
Instead of controlling 80 MHz split between two separated frequency ranges, the operator now has an 80 MHz continuous block at the lower end of Portugal's 3.6 GHz mobile band.
The change does not alter DIGI's total bandwidth, but it improves the structural quality of that holding and creates greater flexibility for 5G radio deployment. In practical network terms, an 80 MHz contiguous position is substantially better aligned with the wide-channel architecture for which the 3.6 GHz band is typically used.
The decision also demonstrates how spectrum consolidation can follow corporate consolidation. Spectrum originally awarded independently to DIGI and NOWO through the 2021 auction has gradually been brought under a single operator, and the final 2026 reshuffle reorganises part of those rights into a technically more coherent configuration.
The spectrum reshuffling process was formally concluded on 14 July 2026, when ANACOM adopted its final decision to move DIGI's 40 MHz assignment from 3480–3520 MHz to 3440–3480 MHz.
Full spectrum allocation details for Portugal are available here: https://www.spectrum-tracker.com/Portugal