MCA says it will not forcibly remove TV aerials

The Malta Communications Authority said today that contrary to a growing misconception, it would not be forcibly removed rooftop TV aerials once the digital switch-over takes place on February 1.

“The removal of such aerials is at the owners’ discretion,” the Authority said.

As from February 1, free-to-air analogue-terrestrial TV will be upgraded to digital. A process is underway to set up a national DTTV platform to allow the broadcasting of six local free-to-air TV channels in digital format, including the state television TVM. Thus, viewers currently not subscribed to any pay-TV service will continue to enjoy free viewing of existing free-to-air channels plus an additional two Maltese channels in digital format, resulting in increased quality, the MCA said.

Modern TV sets (such as LCD, LED and Plasma) typically feature an integrated digital tuner (known as a DVB-T receiver). Older tube-type TV sets are unlikely to have an in-built DVB-T receiver. Owners of such TV sets have the option of purchasing an external receiver – commonly known as a digital set-top box or TV decoder – and connect it to the UHF aerial and television. Prices of basic set-top boxes retail at an average of €30, but more expensive options are available on the market, depending on brand and features.

In order to be able to receive free-to-air digital TV transmissions, households will require a rooftop UHF aerial attached to a short pole, assuming they do not already make use of a UHF aerial. Households currently receiving free-to-air transmissions are, in all probability, already utilising a UHF aerial and this should serve in equally good stead for digital transmissions. Thus, in most cases, no new UHF aerial will be required, but it may, in some instances, be necessary to redirect the UHF aerial to point to one of the free-to-air digital TV transmitters.

The Authority said its research had showed a growing misconception amongst the public that rooftop terrestrial aerials would be forcibly removed. It said that there was no such intention and the removal of such aerials was at the owners’ discretion.