The digital TV switchover has been postponed by a month, and will take place on February 1, 2011, i-Tech can reveal. However, until June 1 both analogue and digital transmissions will continue in parallel.
“The current analogue transmissions will not be switched off until June 2011 allowing ample time for those impacted to take the necessary steps to enjoy more Maltese programming content, with better picture quality,” a spokesman for the Malta Communications Authority told i-Tech.
The digital TV switchover in Malta is part of an EU-wide exercise to switch off analogue TV signals and thus free an important segment of radio frequencies which could then be used for other wireless services. This exercise has to be completed in all EU countries by 2012.
Asked for the reasons for this delay, the MCA spokesman explained that in reality there is no major delay and the exercise is complex and needs careful planning and execution.
“The switchover to digital TV transmissions involves a number of very technical, legal, organisational and conceptually complex issues that cross a number of different entities and organisations, whereas for the user, it’s just a simple plugging in of a set-top-box if the user is not in a possession of a TV with an inbuilt digital tuner.
“Given that the plans for Malta were well ahead of the proposed EU deadline for switching to digital transmissions, it was decided to delay the official switchover slightly, to February 1, 2011 to ensure that everything is in place, both technically and operationally and thus have a more seamless transition to digital TV transmissions.”
The impact on the Maltese TV viewers is measured in terms of better picture and sound quality, but the few thousands still watching TV from analogue signals from antennas on their roofs will have to invest in a digital set-top box or a digital terrestrial-enabled TV set to continue to watch local channels.
Figures indicate that less than 11 per cent of all households rely on free-to-air only terrestrial transmissions whilst a further seven per cent rely on a mix of free-to-air and pay TV.
The switchover will provide for the digital transmission of six local TV stations free to air. Public Broadcasting Services has been entrusted with providing the service, and this has in turn entered into a technical agreement with Go to provide the necessary technical capabilities to transmit the six stations. Only PBS and Education 22 have a guaranteed slot. Stations have to apply for the other four slots.
However, since Italy is also going through its gradual switchover, the Italian channels enjoyed free to air by the Maltese for decades could be affected as digital signals from Sicily are weaker than analogue.
A comprehensive information campaign is scheduled to commence at the end of this year and will continue well into 2011 until the switchover is complete, thus ensuring that the public is well informed as to what will be happening and when, and what steps they will have to take, if any, the MCA spokesman added.
Go already provides its commercial digital terrestrial TV service and its clients will not be affected by this switchover. Melita’s cable TV subscribers will not be affected either.
A Digital Switch Over Committee (DSOC) composed of the key government entities involved in the switchover process (MCA, Malta Broadcasting Authority, Office of the Prime Minister; Ministry for Investment, Transport and Communication; and Ministry of Education, Employment and Family) is responsible for coordinating the switchover, with PBS providing technical input as necessary to the committee.