2m Spaniards could lose DTT
December 1, 2014
From David Del Valle in Madrid
Around 4 per cent of Spain’s population could be left without DTT after the migration has been completed on January 1st.
Operators and the administration fear that 1,860,000 Spaniards who live in areas with geographical difficulties (for example villages between mountains) may end up out of DTT reach when the digital migration is completed unless the regional governments in those areas extend the DTT signals by updating the necessary equipment at a time when they are lacking in money – and now also time.
In 2008-2010, the extension of DTT to those remote areas was made through state subsidies which now the EC has declared them as illegal asking Spain to recoup €236 million, after an appeal from SES Astra.
Many believe that the administration will have to extend the deadline to allow the simulcast of the signals through the current (790 MHz-862 MHz) and the new frequencies to avoid the blackout.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Industry has announced that 49 per cent of the population is already prepared for the migration.