DREM releases updated Time Series on Communications with 2025 data
The Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) publishes the time series for the Communications sector in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (ARM), updated with 2025 data.
This series is based on information collected directly by Statistics Portugal (INE) and by the National Communications Authority (ANACOM).
Electronic communications – Fixed broadband Internet access in the ARM grew by 2.9%
According to data provided by ANACOM, the number of residential customers of fixed high-speed networks and services reached 96.3 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2025, corresponding to an increase of 2.2% compared with the same quarter of the previous year.
This growth trend was also observed in high-speed cabled dwellings in the ARM. Indeed, at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, the number of dwellings in the ARM cabled with fibre optics (FTTH/B) by all operators reached 258.1 thousand, reflecting a rise of 12.6% compared with the same period of the previous year. Considering dwellings equipped to receive these services through cable TV networks, the ARM had around 112.7 thousand dwellings, a figure identical to that recorded in the same period of the previous year.
In 2025, the number of fixed broadband Internet accesses reached 116.8 thousand in the Region, corresponding to growth of 2.9% compared with the previous year. Of this total, 97.3 thousand related to the residential segment (+2.3% compared with 2024) and 19.5 thousand to the non-residential segment (+6.1% compared with 2024). At the national level, the increase was slightly lower (+2.1%), totalling 4.8 million accesses.
In 2025, the number of subscription television distribution service accesses exceeded 117.0 thousand, representing an increase of 2.1% compared with the previous year. This growth resulted from increases in both residential accesses (101.0 thousand; +1.1% compared with 2024) and non-residential accesses (16.0 thousand; +8.4%). At the national level, the change in this indicator was marginal (+0.5%).
In 2024, the number of main residential telephone accesses reached 97.0 thousand (+2.0% compared with 2023), while the number of non-residential accesses fell to 33.8 thousand (-1.2%). In total, accesses stood at around 130.7 thousand (+1.1% compared with the previous year).
With the widespread use of mobile phones, the number of public telephone booths in the ARM has been declining in recent years, falling from 349 in 2013 to 27 in 2025, corresponding to a change of -92.3% between these two periods. At the national level, the reduction observed was smaller, standing at -78.7%. This downward trend was observed in all 11 municipalities of the ARM, with some of them no longer having this type of equipment.
Postal services – One more post office than in 2024
In 2025, the number of post office branches (19) remained unchanged compared with the previous year. Regarding post offices, an increase of one unit was recorded, rising to 37, following the opening of a new branch in the municipality of Ribeira Brava.
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