The Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T) and the Terrestrial - Digital Audio Broadcasting (T-DAB) are to be introduced in our country in the very near future.
The use of these modern systems means that some of the restrictions of analogical broadcasting, namely the scarcity of the spectrum and present day material requirements, in terms of protection against interference in sound and television broadcasting, will no longer exist.
They will also provide a better quality reception of sound and image for the consumer, especially in areas less favoured by analogic transmissions - like mobile reception.
Furthermore, T-DAB and DVB-T both represent important contributions to the constitution of a technically evolved platform for interactive systems within the framework of the inevitable multimedia convergence.
Given the potential benefits of the DVB-T system for the development of national television reality and the complexity of the implementation processes of technological evolution of this type, the Instituto da Comunicação Social (ICS) and the Instituto das Comunicações de Portugal are promoting, as from today until October 3rd 1998, a public consultation on its introduction in Portugal.
Citizens, companies and all those directly or indirectly interested in the process can present their observations to the ICP or the ICS in written form or electronically.
T-DAB will also be introduced in Portugal in the near future, in the sequence of the attribution of licences for the setting up and supply of networks that will ensure general and regional coverage.
These licences will be granted through requests for tenders promoted by the ICP under the terms and conditions approved by the Government and which are already in the publication phase in the Diário da República (Official Journal).
Further information about these important processes soon to be introduced can be obtained from the ICP and the ICS at the following addresses:
ICP (Head Office)
Avenida José Malhoa, 12
P-1070 Lisboa - Portugal
Tel: +351 (0)1 721 10 00
Fax: +351 (0)1 721 10 01
ICS
Palácio Foz - Praça dos Restauradores
P -1250 Lisboa - Portugal
Tel: +351 (0)1 322 12 00
Tel: +351 (0)1 322 12 05
