Digital terrestrial switch-off in December: what you need to know

In principle, a high resolution television (Full HD or higher) should be compatible with December transition and further proof is undoubtedly the current possibility of use the Rai and Mediaset channels in the first numbers of the remote control. The situation is different for those who today find themselves forced to watch Rai channels exclusively from channel 501 onwards, or Mediaset channels from 104 onwards. In these cases, the need to purchase at least one new Dvb-T2 decoder is evident, and with a minimum cost of around 20/30 euros, the problem is solved. There’s no need to change your TV, although in fact to enjoy high resolution you still need a TV that supports it and without it you will continue to watch programs in standard resolution.

There’s only one problem and it concerns those who have bought a smart tv before 2018. The risk is that we could end up with a fairly new model – four years for a TV isn’t very many – capable of surviving the December switch-off unscathed but not the 2023 switch-off. sale since 2017 of televisions with integrated Dvb-T2 decoder but without the obligation to support the Hevc (H265) Main 10 format. In practice, someone could have an inadequate model and therefore in the future be forced to purchase an external decoder.

Today to understand if you are ready for new digital terrestrial just proceed with a trivial test: tune into channels 100 (Rai) or 200 (Mediaset) and verify the presence of the writing Test Hevc Main10.

The future that awaits us

The transition to Dvb-T2 Hevc will start from Januarybut it will take some time since the number of receivers to be replaced or integrated is large.

As for the future, the expert believes that the web distribution platforms, pursuant to Legislative Decreedigital terrestrial and complementary satelliteat least in the medium term. “Clearly also the standardization activities of the use of frequencies at an international level, with the pressing needs of the telephone companies for the enlargement of the band destined for 5G services now and 6G soonwill have a role on the challenges to be faced“, he underlines. In fact, all broadcasters are gearing up accordingly.

Transition Bonuses

With the budget law 2022 the government however, it has envisaged further measures to facilitate the transition. The tv bonuses provides for the delivery directly to the home of a compatible decoder to citizens aged 70 or over, with a pension not exceeding 20,000 euros per year and who have a subscription to the broadcasting service. To request it, simply call 800 776 883, selecting the section relating to home delivery of TV decoders, available from Monday to Friday between 10 and 18, excluding holidays. Or by connecting directly with the dedicated page of the Ministry of Economic Development (Mise).

However, it should be remembered that they cannot benefit from the free delivery of the decoder “citizens who, despite being in possession of the required requisites, have already used the TV-decoder bonus”. The facilitation can instead be combined with those who have enjoyed the tv bonus or the scrapping tv bonus, expired on November 12 last year.