Ministerial Order no. 20 095/2002, of 12 of September

Published in D.R. number 211 (Series II) of 12 September 2002

Ministério da Economia (Ministry of Economy)
Gabinete do Ministro (Office Minister's)

Ministerial Order

By ministerial order of the Minister for Social Equipment of 17 August 2001, enacted pursuant to article 18, paragraph 2 of the Public Tender Regulation, approved in annex to Administrative Rule n. º 346-A/2001 of 6 April, the PDTP company - Portuguese Digital Television Platform, S.A. (hereinafter referred to as PDTP for short) was granted a license of national scope for the establishment and operation of a digital terrestrial television platform.

According to the tender presented and to the terms of the granted license, PDTP was bound to have started the commercial operation of the mentioned television platform by 31 August 2002.

On 29 May 2002, ICP-ANACOM registered a request of PDTP, in which this company invoked a case of force majeure to justify non-compliance with the time limit for the commencement of the commercial operation of the digital terrestrial television platform, requesting  a one-year extension.

Having regard to the importance the Government has attached to the start as quick as possible of the operation of the digital terrestrial television platform;

Whereas the use of the DVB-MHP standard has contributed decisively to facilitate the interface of terminals of several providers and the production of interactive contents;

Given that the offer of interactive services is one of the additional qualities of the digital television;

Having regard to the confirmed delays regarding the standardization of MHP rules and the corresponding certification process, which are deemed to be surpassed shortly;

Having regard to the legal opinion presented by the administration board of ANACOM:

Pursuant to paragraph 2 of article 13, as read in conjunction with the provision of paragraph 1b) of article 18, both of Decree-law n. º 381-A/97, of 30 December, I hereby determine:

1 - That paragraph 1 of clause 3 of the license granted to PDTP is amended, so to extend up to 1 March 2003 the effective commencement of the commercial operation of the digital terrestrial television platform.

2 - To assign to ICP - Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ICP - ANACOM) the amendment, pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, of the license granted to PDTP according to article 22 of the Public Tender Regulation,  approved in annex to Administrative Rule n. º 346-A/2001 of 6 April.

22 August 2002. - The Minister for the Economy, Carlos Manuel Tavares da Silva.