Regional Directorate for Communications and Digital Transition






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Welcome Note

The Regional Directorate for Communications and Digital Transition (DRCTD) has as its mission the coordination and development of actions leading to the implementation of regional policies in the area of communications, information systems and technologies, cybersecurity and digital transition.

Its main guiding principles aim to ensure the implementation and operation of the computing and data storage infrastructures of the Regional Government, as well as to develop a regional strategy to achieve the Digital Transition in the various departments and services of the Regional Government and in the various sectors of the Region's economy.

The DRCTD is also responsible for the development of a regional cybersecurity strategy as well as for the operation of an efficient and effective protection and defence system against threats originating in cyberspace.

We are committed to monitoring and ensuring the implementation of the project for the replacement of the Submarine Fibre Optic Cable Ring carrying communications between Mainland Portugal, the Azores and Madeira (CAM Ring). This an essential infrastructure for the socio-economic development of the Azores as it connects us to the rest of the world. Therefore, it is our commitment to ensure that whoever has this responsibility will fulfil it within the timeframe already defined and within a timeline that will not be detrimental to the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

"Welcome to the Regional Directorate for Communications and Digital Transition"

The introduction of new technologies, such as 5G, as well as the mitigation of asymmetries in the mobile communications network coverage and access to fibre optic networks, require our full commitment and dedication to defending the interests of our Region. We are determined to ensure that all Azoreans have access to communications products and services under the same technological and commercial conditions as those in Mainland Portugal.

In the context of Digital Transition, the integration of solutions, their suitability and the optimisation of the efficiency of services and their relations with citizens and companies, along with their simplification, are our main goals. We also aim to support and promote digital transition in the different areas of the Azorean economy.

Also, within the scope of our competences, we intend to ensure the improvement of the quality and efficiency of the postal services provided in our Region.

Committed to meeting the concerns and aspirations of all Azoreans in matters related to communications and cybersecurity, we are available to receive your suggestions, comments and doubts at our email [email protected].

Vice-Presidency promotes forum dedicated to digital transition of local government in the Azores
Nota de Imprensa
July 4, 2025
Vice-Presidency promotes forum dedicated to digital transition of local government in the Azores
The Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government, through the Regional Directorate for Communications and Digital Transition, will promote the event "Digital Transition of Local Government" on July 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Ramo Grande Auditorium in Praia da Vitória. The forum is part of the regional strategy for digital transition to promote the discussion on the challenges and opportunities of digital transition in Azorean municipalities and parish councils. This event will promote and encourage best practices in the optimisation of public services, based on the example of the Incentive System for the Administrative Modernisation of Local Government (SIMA+Local). Chaired by the Vice-President of the Government, the event will be attended by the Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, and will include a round table dedicated to the digital transition of municipalities. It will feature the participation of Vânia Ferreira, Mayor of Praia da Vitória, Frederico Sousa, Mayor of Lagoa, Alexandre Gaudêncio, Mayor of Ribeira Grande, and Luís Silveira, Representative of the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (AMRAA). The panel will be moderated by José Lourenço, director of the "Diário Insular" newspaper. The forum "Digital Transition of Local Government" will also feature Marco Espinheira, former Director of the Future of Cascais Municipal Council between 2015 and 2022, who is currently Executive Director of Fundraising and Public Relations and Head of Corporate Relations at Nova School of Business and Economics. SIMA + Local aims to empower regional authorities by implementing technological solutions designed to improve the quality of services provided to all Azoreans and the business community, ensuring greater proximity, accessibility, and transparency. Under this programme, funded under the RRP, financial support of 3.5 million Euros will be granted to 13 municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (AMRAA).
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Regional Government promotes modernisation of local government with 3.5 million Euros in funding
Nota de Imprensa
June 13, 2025
Regional Government promotes modernisation of local government with 3.5 million Euros in funding
The Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government, through the Regional Directorate for Communications and Digital Transition, will allocate €3.5 million in financial support to 13 municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (AMRAA) under the SIMA + Local programme. This initiative falls within the regional strategy for the digital transition and the improvement of public service efficiency, covering, in this case, Azorean municipalities and parish councils. SIMA + Local aims to promote the empowerment of regional authorities through technological solutions that will improve the quality of services provided to Azorean citizens and companies, ensuring greater proximity, accessibility, and transparency. The support granted amounts to 3,527,218.32 million Euros, excluding VAT, and corresponds to 100% of the eligible investment. It is intended for the applications now approved by AMRAA and the municipalities of Corvo, Lagoa, Lajes do Pico, Madalena, Nordeste, Ponta Delgada, Praia da Vitória, Ribeira Grande, Santa Cruz das Flores, São Roque do Pico, Velas, Vila do Porto and Vila Franca do Campo. This will ensure support for the implementation of structural projects in the areas of information system interoperability, information security, cybersecurity, process automation, and digital training for human resources. For the Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, this investment "reiterates  the Regional Government's commitment to a modern, efficient, and citizen-centred public administration." "The empowerment of Azorean municipalities and parishes is crucial at a time of global technological disruption," stated Artur Lima. "Local authorities work closely with the population. Promoting their administrative modernisation brings added value to the daily lives of all Azoreans and the economic fabric of the Region," he stressed. This support line also "strengthens territorial cohesion and reduces disparities in the Azores," concluded the Vice-President of the Government. The initiative is funded through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) under the "Modernisation and Digital Transformation of Regional Public Administration" investment (C19-i06-RAA). It represents a decisive step in the digital transformation of local governance in the Azores.
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