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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of July, 2003

Commission File Number 1-13758

PORTUGAL TELECOM, SGPS, S.A.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo, 40
1069 - 300 Lisboa, Portugal

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes _______ No ___X____

RELEASE

PORTUGAL TELECOM CREATES CONSULTIVE COUNCIL

Lisbon, Portugal, July 8, 2003 – In the context of its governance model, Portugal Telecom, SGPS, S.A. (“PT”) (NYSE: PT; Euronext Lisbon: PTCO.IN) announces the creation of a new consultive body, the Consultive Council with the aim of advising the management on the key strategic issues of the Group.

The Consultive Council will identify together with the management the major issues that may impact PT, namely in the regulatory and competitive fields, international investments, mergers and acquisitions and disposals. In line with international best management practice, this new Council will enhance the governance model of PT Group.

The Consultive Council is not a statutory body, as its members are not elected by the Shareholders’ Meeting and it is not a Committee of the Board, i.e., its members are not PT directors, and its recommendations will not be binding.

The Consultive Council is composed by the following members: Estanislau Mata Costa (Chairman), Manuel Barbosa, Diogo Homem de Lucena, Aníbal dos Santos, José Manuel Neves Adelino, José Manuel Tribolet, João Confraria Jorge, Luís Todo Bom and Luís Filipe Nazaré.

This information is also available on PT’s IR website http://ir.telecom.pt.

Contact:	Vitor J. Sequeira, PT Group Investor Relations Officer vitor.j.sequeira@telecom.pt

	Portugal Telecom Tel.: +351.21500 1701 Fax.: +351.21355 6623

Portugal Telecom is listed on the Euronext Lisbon and New York Stock Exchanges. Information may be accessed on the Reuters 2000 Service under the symbols PT and PTCO.IN and on Bloomberg under the symbol PTC PL.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: July 9, 2003

PORTUGAL TELECOM, SGPS, S.A.

By:	/S/ Vitor Sequeira
	Vitor Sequeira Manager of Investor Relations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.