The Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC) has imposed fines totaling €13,351,000 on three telecommunications operators and a consulting company for restricting competition in the pay-TV services market. The companies were found to have agreed on advertising conditions that limited consumer choice and harmed subscribers.

The investigation began in August 2020 after media reports indicated a coordinated initiative among the largest pay-TV operators, supported by a consulting firm. A Statement of Objections was issued in December 2021, but evidence from dawn raids was later deemed inadmissible due to a ruling that declared the relevant search provision unconstitutional.

Following a return to the investigation stage in January 2024, a new Statement of Objections was issued in December 2024. The AdC concluded that the agreement among the companies led to a concerted approach that diminished competition, leaving consumers with limited options and negatively impacting the telecommunications sector.

The fines were calculated based on the companies' turnover, with one company benefiting from a settlement that reduced its fine. The AdC has opted not to disclose the identities of the fined companies due to ongoing legal challenges regarding their identification.

The AdC emphasizes that agreements restricting competition are a significant enforcement priority, as they harm consumer welfare and undermine market competitiveness.