By Andrea Hargraves 
According to the document, “the Regional Cohesion Governance Zone aims to promote the reduction of regional disparities, the economic development of the country, and the improvement of the living conditions of the population.”
In light of this, “the process of decentralization of powers from central to local administration plays a key role in transforming the region and economy and effectively stimulating regional development,” the report states.
Therefore, “measures to achieve these goals will focus primarily on maintaining and strengthening the system of devolution of powers to local authorities in various areas of decentralization.”
It also includes “strengthening technical and financial cooperation for important regional and local development projects and valuing low-density areas, especially through rehabilitating coverage with high-speed fixed Internet and the 5G network, in addition to increasing the participation of local authorities in local development.” Policy-based and enhanced rapid approval and review of regional planning tools.
On July 11, the government approved the decision of the Council of Ministers to reschedule the tender expenditures to cover white areas (without internet), a public and private investment in the range of €350 million.
At the Cabinet meeting, several decisions were approved regarding the extension of spending, including “a decision regarding the application of optical fiber to the so-called white zones, which are spaces in low-density areas where there is “no broadband coverage,” said the Minister of the Presidency, Antonio Leitao. Amaro, at that time.
The previous government had stated in its announcement of the international public tender on December 12, 2023, that the project to cover the white areas covers more than 400,000 homes, in several interior areas.
According to information released at the time, global investment amounted to 425 million euros, allowing, especially in the interior of the country, access to broadband Internet, half of it from public funding (about 150 million euros from the Regional Programs Portugal 2030 and the Regional Program Portugal 2030). The rest comes from national funds.)
Full coverage of the continental region is expected by 2026/2027.