Portugal Telecom tops DTT tender
July 1, 2008
From Branislav Pekic in Rome
Portugal Telecom has been placed first by the commission that evaluated the bids for the DTT platform for pay-TV channels.
Portuguese telecommunications sector regulator Anacom announced on June 27th that Portugal Telecom obtained 85 out of a total of 100 points, while Sweden's Airplus TV was awarded 57 points. The technical and financial criteria weighed in with 60 per cent, while the TV offer corresponded to 40 per cent.
The two competitors now have 10 working days to respond to these findings. Only after the consultation period is over will a final decision be reached, although in the majority of the public telecommunications tenders in Portugal, no changes resulted.
In its bid, Portugal Telecom promised national coverage in 18 months, the commercial launch of the service in April 2009, a pay-TV offer that includes new thematic channels, VOD and PPV. The operator plans to subsidise the acquisition of set-top boxes for low-income families, citizens with special needs and charities.
The result of the tender for the free-to-air DTT multiplex will be announced on July 24th but no surprises are expected, as Portugal Telecom is the sole bidder