At a meeting held at the Academia de Amadores de Música in Lisbon, Rui Tavares announced that Portugal is now capable of implementing radio communication with mobile phones, a service distinct from the SMS communication that only reached many people late in the evening.
This new communication method has not yet been deployed, as a signature is still pending. “Yesterday, the Minister of Infrastructure informed us that everything is ready for it to function, but the necessary document has yet to be signed,” explained the Livre spokesperson.
Tavares noted that this radio communication could have been facilitated via mobile operators’ cell towers, similar to systems already in place in other countries. This solution would not only be faster but could also include individuals without Portuguese mobile numbers, he argued.
Rui Tavares reiterated his criticisms of the government for its handling of the blackout that left the country in darkness for most of Monday.
“Luís Montenegro has a talent for managing perceptions and crises through perceptions, but he fell short when faced with reality,” he stated.
Regarding the blackout, Livre suggested that despite its unusual nature, the country can be prepared for such events. As an example, one of their December 2024 recommendations involves distributing emergency kits to people over the age of 65.
A widespread power outage affected Portugal and Spain from 11:30 AM on Monday, with authorities still unable to explain the cause.
The consequences of the blackout included airport closures, transport disruptions, traffic congestion in major cities, and fuel shortages.
The electricity distribution network operator E-Redes assured that by Tuesday morning, the service had been fully restored and normalized.
