With a total of 18 submissions, including seven international ones—under the Patent Cooperation Treaty—and two registered with the European Patent Office, the company has thus seen its role as a benchmark in technological innovation in the country recognized. In a scenario where "there is sustained growth in the number of applications, but also persistent structural challenges in the innovation ecosystem" and where "Portugal is accelerating in patent registration, but continues to face the challenge of European competitiveness," reveals the barometer, Altice Labs ranks first among national companies - ahead of its counterparts - 5th in a list headed by four universities.
This distinction highlights Altice Labs' ongoing commitment to Research and Development (R&D) as a strategic business pillar, transforming scientific and technological knowledge into added value in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving sector such as telecommunications.
"Being featured in this ranking, just behind the most prestigious universities in the country, which are, by nature, ecosystems of creation and invention, shows that Altice Labs remains at the forefront of innovation, especially in the telecommunications sector," says Paulo Firmeza, General Manager of Altice Labs. "Continuous investment in R&D is essential for us to continue developing pioneering, effective, and robust solutions that respond to market needs," he emphasizes.
Global Consolidation and Leadership – Altice Labs' path in R&D
In 2025, Altice Labs saw one of its patent applications granted in Europe and the United States, thus ensuring the protection of the intellectual property of the invention "Method for Configuring a FTTH Distribution Network Cell," a technology that optimizes fiber optic networks and enables more efficient management of existing infrastructure, with cost reductions, greater network resilience, and lower environmental impact. Over the last five years, the company has consolidated its track record of innovation with 90 patent applications submitted and 20 patents granted, reinforcing its relevance in the national and international intellectual property landscape. Altice Labs currently maintains a prominent position with 90 patent applications in progress in different markets and technological areas, with a special focus on Artificial Intelligence/GenAI and Ultra Broadband Optical Networks, two areas that are central to the future of digital networks and services. With an innovation strategy strongly aligned with global trends, Altice Labs will continue to invest in intellectual property protection as a way to ensure competitiveness, market value, and impact on the future of telecommunications networks.