The population of the interior regions of Portugal has already made progress in migrating to DTT. By 15th January, about 50% of the population in the interior regions of Portugal will have completed migration to digital television. This level of migration, achieved three months in advance of the switch-off date (26 April), was not reached in coastal areas until one month before the switch. This indication results from a Marketest study performed during the first fortnight of January.
The survey, conducted at a national level, also reveals that about 45% of the population intends to migrate by buying a set-top box. In December this figure was reported at 37%.
According to the same survey, the level of knowledge reported among respondents about what DTT is and how to prepare for migration to DTT continues to increase and is now as high as 95%, approaching the levels of knowledge reported in coastal areas of the country. Nevertheless, it is important that local organisations and authorities are involved, along with social services, to ensure that even people living in the most isolated situations and people with limited access to information receive support through the transition process.
The sooner people complete this migration, the more likely they will be to acquire equipment at lower prices and the lower the risk of being left temporarily without television.
The switch-off of analogue television is an ongoing process, according to the national switch-off plan. As such, on Wednesday, 1 February, the Monsanto transmitter will be switched off, along with the relays at Areeiro, Barcarena, Caparica, Carvalhal, Cheleiros, Estoril, Graça, Montemor-o-Novo, Odivelas, Sintra, Malveira, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Coruche and Cabeção. In total, this switch-off will affect more than two million people, in about 40 municipalities in the districts of Évora, Lisbon, Portalegre, Santarém and Setúbal.
After this third switch-off operation is completed, over fifty municipalities in Portugal will only have digital television coverage.
In the first two switch-off operations, on 12 and 23 January, only a limited number of people contacted the DTT call centre because they had not made preparations and were left unable to watch TV - 400 in total. This fact, coupled with trends reported in sales of DTT reception equipment - about 820 thousand televisions and decoders sold - paints an optimistic picture as to the progress of migration to DTT. Even so, ANACOM must again call on people to get ready for digital terrestrial television in good time, so that the process can proceed without disruption.
People are reminded that there is a subsidy scheme for the purchase of set-top-boxes. This scheme is available to people who are on income support (Rendimento Social de Inserção) and pensioners whose monthly income does not exceed 500 euros, as well as to people with a degree of disability equal to or greater than 60%. The subsidy covers 50% of the price of the equipment, with a limit of 22 euros.
The second phase of the switch-off of analogue television will begin on 22 March in the Azores and Madeira, with the process concluding on 26 April.
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- DTT switch-off https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=336981
