The first phase of the liberation of the Second Digital Dividend concludes

05/03/2020
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  • Ends without significant incidents the change of frequencies of DTT that has affected eleven million people in 2,413 municipalities, divided into nine CC.AA.
  • TV channels that have to change frequencies simultaneously broadcast through new and old frequencies before proceeding to the cessation of the latter, with the aim of facilitating the adaptation to citizenship
  • The release of the Second Digital Dividend is the process by which frequencies assigned to television channels in the 700MHz band are changed in order to use them to deploy future 5G networks.
    • On 11, 13 February and 3 March, the old frequencies of digital terrestrial television (DTT) were no longer broadcast in 2,413 municipalities spread over 21 provinces of nine autonomous communities, a change that has affected more than 11 million people without significant incidents. This change does not imply the need to purchase new TVs or DTT decoders, and there is no loss of new channels or channels.

    On 11, 13 February and 3 March, the old frequencies of digital terrestrial television (DTT) were no longer broadcast in 2,413 municipalities spread over 21 provinces of nine autonomous communities, a change that has affected more than 11 million people without significant incidents. This change does not imply the need to purchase new TVs or DTT decoders, and there is no loss of new channels or channels.

    This concludes the first phase of the liberalization of the Second Digital Dividend, a complex process that is carried out by agreement between the Member States of the European Union, in coordination with our neighboring countries and that obliges to make a change in the frequencies assigned to television channels in the 700 MHz band, in order to leave space for the 5G network.

    Medium- and large-sized buildings need to adapt their collective TV antenna installation so that they can continue to watch TV channels that change frequency. Until 30 September 2020, aid may be requested to offset the costs arising from these adaptations. So far, 66,680 applications have been registered.

    In all buildings, including individual dwellings, TVs have to be re-tuned.

    Second phase

    On November 14, 2019, the process began in another 1,433 municipalities. In January and February 2020, the rest of the towns where frequencies have to be changed were added, in total 3,586 more municipalities. The liberation of the Second Digital Dividend is being carried out in two phases because there are some geographical areas that have technological dependence on others, that is, until the frequencies of DTT in certain regions were changed, the change could not be initiated in the dependent areas.

    During this phase, as has happened in the first, in order to facilitate the transition and minimize the impact for citizens, television channels that have to change frequency will broadcast simultaneously through the new and old frequencies (simulcast).

    The process of releasing the Second Digital Dividend will end on June 30, when the 700 MHz band will be available for the deployment of 5G communications services.

    All information about the Second Digital Dividend is available on the website http://www.televisiondigital.es/ and on the phones 901 201 004 and 910 889 879