Italy

[IT] Agcom Adopts the Final Plan for the Allocation of Frequencies for DTT

IRIS 2012-5:1/30

Francesco Di Giorgi

Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (AGCOM)

On 22 February 2012 the Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (the Italian Communications Authority - AGCOM) adopted Resolution no. 93/12/CONS concerning the plan for the allocation of frequencies for digital terrestrial television services in the five Italian regions of Abruzzo, Molise, Basilicata, Apulia, Calabria and Sicily, included in technical areas 11, 14 and 15 as defined by the Governmental Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) switchover plan adopted in 2008 (see IRIS 2008-10/22). According to this plan Italy has been divided into 16 technical areas only partially coinciding with the regions, in order to allow an orderly switch-off in accordance with international agreements and with the the principle of safeguard of the service to protect end-users (see IRIS 2006-7/26 and IRIS 2008-10/22).

These five regions are the last that, over the coming months, will switch to digital terrestrial television, pursuant to law n. 101/2008 which defined the national calendar, with indication of the geographical areas concerned and the respective deadlines for their final transition to digital terrestrial television broadcasting - expected by 30 June 2012.

The plan for the allocation of frequencies for digital terrestrial television broadcasting consists of a list of usable frequencies in the territories of Abruzzo, Molise, Basilicata, Apulia, Calabria and Sicily. The new element introduced in the planning process is the identification of the multiplexes that can be used locally, in the technical areas 11, 14 and 15 and in individual regions to which the technical areas refer, without the distinction between regional, sub regional and/or provincial frequencies.

The assignment of the rights of use of frequencies is managed by the Ministry of Economic Development, which provides for each technical area or region, a ranking of the subjects legitimately entitled to broadcast at local level. In particular, the measure by which the rights of use are granted must include, for the frequency concerned, the set of radio-related requirements that must be complied with by operators.