Portugal

[PT] ANACOM’s Decisions on Digital Terrestrial Television

IRIS 2011-7:1/36

Ana Perdigao

Biontino Consultants

According to the Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ANACOM), the regulator, supervisor and representative of the communications sector in Portugal, digital terrestrial television covers currently about 87% of the population, while the remainder is serviced via satellite.

The switch-off plan for analogue television broadcasts in the transition to digital terrestrial television adopted by the ANACOM (which is coordinating the process of transition) is due to be concluded by 26 April 2012 and it is expected to be implemented in three phases, i.e., on:

“12 January 2012, for transmitters/relays providing coverage of the coastal area of the mainland territory; 22 March 2012, for transmitters/relays providing coverage of the Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira; 26 April 2012, for transmitters/relays providing coverage of the remaining mainland territory.”

Previous to these dates analogue television broadcasts are expected to be terminated in three pilot areas: Alenquer on 12 May, Agualva-Cacém on 16 June and Nazaré on 13 October 2011. Distribution will be progressively extended to the entire country.

ANACOM has distributed an information pamphlet on the transition from analogue to DTT, while an electronic version of the DTT Guide has also been prepared. The guide has a set of FAQs on DTT and aims to explain to citizens what to do when preparing for digital TV reception, as television sets that are not integrated with digital capability will need to be connected to a set-top-box.

As part of the shift to digital terrestrial television (DTT), the Associação Portuguesa para a Defesa do Consumidor (Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection - DECO) issued an article on the tests performed on signal modulators for old televisions. Modulators are devices needed for TV sets which do not have SCART or HDMI, which connects the decoder (set-top box) that allows access to DTT. Moreover, it is noted that the acquisition of a decoder is not needed when a TV is already equipped to receive DVB-T and is compatible with MPEG4/H.264, which can be found in the manufacturer's information.

DECO has also signed a protocol with ANACOM and has committed itself to ongoing comparative tests on digital terrestrial television (DTT) decoders and to maintaining an updated and accessible summary of results available on both websites. DECO will work to uphold the rights and interests of consumers.

In the meantime ANACOM has ordered PT Comunicações (PTC), by a determination adopted on 26 of May 2011, to immediately correct non-compliances with obligations detected within the scope of the provision of the digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting service.

ANACOM by a determination of 19 of May 2011 has decided that all commercial practices leading the consumer to believe that they should subscribe to a paid service in order to continue receiving free and unrestricted access to television programme services are prohibited. This prohibition is addressed to electronic communications companies providing television signal distribution services, as well as to agents advertising or marketing such services.

ANACOM has approved by a determination of 24 March 2011 a decision concerning the grant by PT Comunicações (PTC) of a subsidy for the purchase of DTT equipment by citizens with special needs, disadvantaged groups of the population and institutions with a proven social value.