ANACOM – Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (National Communications Authority) has already adopted the final decision on the plan for termination of analogue television broadcasts in the transition to digital terrestrial television, as well as final decision on the identification of relays and respective dates of termination of emissions of the pilot phase.
Under the terms of the decision of the regulator, the Plan for the Switch-Off aims at the termination of analogue terrestrial television broadcasts in three phases, as contained in the final project of late July:
1st Phase - 12 January 2012, for transmitters/relays providing coverage of the coastal area of the mainland territory;
2nd Phase - 22 March 2012, for transmitters/relays providing coverage of the Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira;
3rd Phase - 26 April 2012, for transmitters/relays providing coverage of the remaining mainland territory.
The plan also envisages the occurrence of the termination of analogue television broadcasts in three pilot areas, previous to these dates. It is ANACOM´s opinion that, this pilot phase in limited zones where there is greater ability to control adverse conditions will allow refining the preparation procedures for the termination of analogue terrestrial transmissions throughout the territory, minimizing the associated risks of such operation. This procedure is justified in light of the public interest for the need to ensure a smooth transition.
In this way, termination of analogue terrestrial television broadcasts in the pilot phase shall occur in the following relays and on the following dates, provided they satisfy the required conditions:
- Alenquer retransmitter - 12 May 2011;
- Cacém retransmitter - 16 June 2011;
- Nazaré retransmitter - 13 October 2011.
Note that, local institutions as well as other relevant local bodies in these pilot areas will be involved in the preparation process of the operation which is intended to be run under the best conditions. Moreover, the establishment of these dates also intends to pursue the same objective, thus creating a time interval to ensures the best technical and communication conditions for a smoother transition to digital. In fact, only now the right conditions are met to proceed with the definition of a public awareness campaign about the shutdown of analog television.
Currently, digital terrestrial television covers about 87% of the population, while the remainder is provided via satellite.
See also:
- Digital terrestrial television - Alenquer, Cacém and Nazaré elected as pilot zones https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1064695
