Given the social sensitivity of a process of termination of analogue terrestrial transmissions and the delicacy of this operation, ICP-ANACOM takes the view that it is fitting, prior to the three phases detailed above, to cease analogue transmission of certain specific relays in pilot zones to be determined, which should take place in the first and second quarters of 2011. This kind of approach in limited zones, where there is greater ability to control any adverse conditions, will help to refine the procedures preparing for the termination of analogue terrestrial transmissions throughout the territory, thereby minimizing the risks associated with such an operation.
This is also an approach that helps raise awareness among the entire population as to the naturalness and irreversibility of the complete closure of analogue terrestrial television, which will culminate on 26 April 2012.
Therefore, relays fulfilling the following conditions are deemed eligible for this pilot phase: (i) cessation of analogue transmissions is easy to carry out in operational terms; (ii) cessation of analogue broadcasting takes place in well-defined areas with terrain which significantly impedes, following the shutdown of the transmitter in question, reception of TV transmissions from alternative analogue stations still in operation; (iii) that the population covered 1, with respect to each of the relays identified, does not exceed 150,000 inhabitants; and (iv) that on the switch-off date of the analogue transmitter, the population has been served for at least one year by digital terrestrial television broadcasting (simulcast).
The operator authorized to provide the digital terrestrial television broadcasting service and the television operators responsible for the organization of unrestricted free-to-air television programme services will be fully involved in defining the sets of relays involved in the pilot and the respective dates of the switch-off, which details shall be the subject of a specific determination in the context of and subsequent to the approval of the SOP.
Having identified the areas in which the pilots will be conducted, local authorities and other relevant local bodies will be involved in the preparation of the operation and timely information campaigns will be directed at the population involved.
Pursuant to and in compliance with paragraph 3 of the RCM, the plan of the present phase will be published not less than three months prior to the switch-off date of the analogue terrestrial transmission of each station or each relay that will be identified.
1 Estimates based on data from INE (Statistics Portugal) (2001 Census).
