Spain: New DTT channels with 35% coverage

[tahir2007pk]

Spain: New DTT channels with 35% coverage
From David Del Valle in Madrid


The closure of the nine DTT channels will lead to coverage problems for new service because the planned new frequencies will only be able to reach 35 per cent of the population, according to a report from broadcast and telecoms infrastructure specialist Abertis Telecom.

The Spanish government plans to call a public tender to award the new DTT licences using a different frequency, but the potential coverage will be just one third of the total unless householders redirect their antennas at high cost. A further migration is set to take place four years after the first switch in 2010. Abertis has requested that this new migration takes place at the same time as the allocation of the digital dividend.

In the meantime, broadcasters affected by the closure are evaluating the financial impact of the decision in order to file a suit against the government asking for seven-figure compensation.