Portuguese regulator rejects DTT simulcast proposal
August 8, 2019
From Branislav Pekic in Rome
Portugal’s National Communications Authority (Anacom) has rejected a proposal by DTT network operator Altice Portugal for a simulcast period during the switch from the existing 700 MHz frequency to a new multi-frequency network.
Speaking to journalists, Altice Portugal CEO Alexandre Fonseca said that the migration of more than 200 DTT transmitters will take six-to-nine months, a process will affect around one million Portuguese who receive TV via DTT.
He pointed out that the operator has already presented a migration plan to the regulator, with associated costs, but has not yet received an answer. Fonseca warned that this could cause viewers to lose reception, with TV channels switching from one to another frequency “from one day to the next”.
At stake is the release of the 700 MHz frequency band for 5G, which should be rolled out across Europe in 2020.
Due to Anacom’s inactivity, claims Fonseca, Portugal is at least six months behind schedule, with no decision yet on the timetable and the 5G auction model.
According to the migration schedule for the 700 MHz band released by Anacom, the frequency band will be gradually released from September until June 30th 2020.