The protocol allowing citizens residing in the Autonomous Region of the Azores to freely access Mainland Portugal’s free access channels – currently ''RTP1'', ''A: 2'', ''SIC'' and ''TVI'' – as well as the gradual migration from analogical to digital technology, was signed on 5 November 2005.
The protocol also includes these citizens’ free access to the regional channel ''RTP – Açores'' or to any other that might replace it and, still, to a programming channel.
The agreement involved the Government of the Portuguese Republic and the Regional Government of the Azores, represented respectively by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Augusto Santos Silva, and by the Regional Secretary for Housing and Equipment José António Vieira da Silva Contente. ANACOM has also a part in the agreement and will participate in the application of the chosen solution, by monitoring its execution and certifying the amounts that the Republic’s and the Regional Governments must bear.
Cabo TV Açoreana is the operator that will ensure, through its cable communications network, the free access to the open channels, as well as to the regional channel and to a programming service, under the terms and conditions defined in the protocol.
With the signature of this protocol, in line with the one which had been celebrated in August 2004 with the Autonomous Region of Madeira, it is now guaranteed to all citizens of Portuguese nationality the right to access, for free, the four open channels currently available in the national territory.
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- Access to national TV channels in Madeira https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=251069
