The European Commission, in its Communication of 2005, gave 2012 as the deadline for the termination of terrestrial analogue television broadcasts within the European Union.
To this end, it was nevertheless deemed necessary to provide for the analogue-digital transition of the terrestrial platform, which has been conducted in the various Member States in different ways and according to different schedules, depending on the national context - in many cases this process is still ongoing.
It should be noted that the introduction of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is designed, above all, to replace analogue terrestrial television with digital broadcasting, enabling conditions by which more and better television services can be provided to users and enabling more efficient use of the radio spectrum, a scarce public resource. The decision to make this switch is one that is happening in nearly every country in the world, given the advantages derived from this transition, especially the advantage that it frees up a set of frequencies, which has been called the digital dividend and whose importance is recognized by most bodies and entities in Europe and elsewhere.
In this context, after a public consultation held in 2007 on the most fitting model for the introduction of DTT and the subsequent launch in 2008 of public tenders for the operation of the network and a new service of unrestricted free-to-air television programme services, it can be considered that the transition process itself began in Portugal on 9 December 2008 with the issue of the allocation of the right of use of frequencies for the provision of the Digital Terrestrial Television service, associated with Multiplexer A.
Network deployment began immediately and DTT started to become available to part of the population as early as 2009, currently enabling the service of digital reception in Standard Definition, but with better picture and sound quality than provided by the analogue system. The service made available comprised the four existing nationwide unrestricted free-to-air television programme services (RTP 1, RTP 2, SIC and TVI), as well as the regional services (RTP RTP Azores and Madeira). Access is also provided to an Electronic Program Guide and (depending on the reception equipment used) to the use of a set of features such as recording and pausing of transmissions.
There is also a possibility of making a fifth television programme service available, to be licensed, and of high definition unrestricted free-to-air television programme services, in non-simultaneous mode until the closure of analogue television broadcasting, which services are not yet operational.
Meanwhile, Resolution of the Council of Ministers No 26/2009 (RCM), published on 17 March, determined that the cessation of analogue terrestrial television broadcasts throughout the national territory shall take place no later than 26 April 2012.
This date was based on the assumptions that, at the end of fourth quarter of 2010, the digital network would be deployed ensuring 100% coverage of the population, as provided for in the right of use of frequencies associated with Multiplexer A and that there should be a period of simultaneous terrestrial analogue and digital broadcasting, for a period that, to minimize the impact of transition on consumers, should be no less than 12 months.
Having met these requirements, ICP-ANACOM shall, on the established due date, recover currently allocated rights of use of frequencies for the provision of publically available television programme services provided using analogue technology, which recovery is made without any charges. In this context, the same RCM determines that ICP-ANACOM shall, as part of its remit of managing the spectrum, prepare a detailed plan of the termination of the terrestrial analogue transmissions of each transmitter station or relay (hereinafter Switch-Off Plan - SOP), in respect of which shall be heard, specifically, the holder of the right of use of frequencies for the digital terrestrial television broadcasting service, associated with Multiplexer A, holders of rights of use of frequencies for the terrestrial analogue television broadcasting service and the respective operators of the transport and distribution network of the analogue terrestrial television signal (paragraph 2 of the RCM).
Whereas the SOP may be published in whole or in phases, it is considered that, in the interests of greater transparency and with a view to the preparation of the population for the analogue-digital transition, the SOP should be published in full, although it is planned that the cessation of analogue terrestrial transmissions shall occur in phases.
Since this SOP embodies the exercise of ICP-ANACOM's powers and responsibilities in respect of its remit of managing the spectrum and as a measure with significant impact on the relevant market, it was made object to the general consultation procedure pursuant to article 8, paragraph 1 of Law No 5/2004 of 10 February.
Additionally, in compliance with paragraph 2 of the RCM and articles 100 and 101 of the Administrative Proceeding Code, the following entities were notified, to comment if they saw fit, PT Comunicações, S.A., Rádio e Televisão de Portugal, S.A. (RTP), a SIC, Sociedade Independente de Comunicação, S.A. and TVI, Televisão Independente, S.A.
These consultation procedures were undertaken and the respective report published.
In this context, termination of analogue terrestrial television transmissions shall occur according to the following schedule:
- 1st Phase - 12 January 2012 https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=337122
- 2nd Phase - 22 March 2012 https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=337123
- 3rd Phase - 26 April 2012 https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=337124
