The optimization of the digital terrestrial broadcasting network, operated by virtue of conditions associated to the temporary network license (as determined in point 4 of the Decision of 18 May), as well as of the present integration of frequencies assigned to the 3 temporary transmitters in RUF ICP-ANACOM No 6/2008, justify that ICP-ANACOM determines new obligations on PTC, among which the provision of information identified below, so as to allow for a more accurate monitoring (coverage according to parishes) of the service provided. It is recalled that it already follows from the allocated RUF that PTC is bound to supply to ICP-ANACOM all information required in the scope of paragraph 1 of article 108 of the ECL1, for the purposes provided for in article 109 of that same Law [clause 5, d)].
The information to be provided by PTC, once it is assessed by ICP-ANACOM, will become an integral part of the RUF.
In fact, PTC, in its response to the consultation on scenarios for the evolution of the DTT network, refers that the technical solution adopted and now existing is fully stabilized, allowing only for occasional optimization interventions which do not disrupt the functioning of the network, nor its performance levels. In parallel, the company has carried out the necessary optimization operations to the DTT network, which have led to significant gains in the scope of terrestrial coverage, that have cancelled or minimised situations of self-interference that occur sometimes. PTC believes that the maintenance and stability of the network will decrease the number of optimization actions, culminating with the need to remedy only very specific and occasional situations, which the company claims to have done and will continue to do.
It must be taken into account that, due to complaints received, ICP-ANACOM considers that there still may be situations where, although the reception installation is in good conditions, the current network fails to ensure a continuous and stable access to the service, even if this concerns locations deemed to be of a terrestrial reception. This fact is also apparent from several contributions received in the scope of the public consultation, thus ICP-ANACOM is concerned that the situation may deteriorate when new relevant changes in the conditions of propagation take place.
As such, ICP-ANACOM determines PTC to make available a set of elements, so that the Authority may be provided with information on the coverage currently provided by the network, enabling subsequently a more thorough monitoring of the evolution of the service provided to the final user. For this purpose, PTC is required to provide the following elements:
1 Electronic Communications Law - Law No 5/2004, of 10 February, as amended and republished by Law No 51/2011, of 13 September.
- A. Coverage https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=348899
- B. Degree of accuracy and network optimization https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=348900
