New services and innovation

Rai Way for New Digital TV

We contribute to the evolution of the country's technological infrastructure

Context: European and national regulatory framework

In 2008, Rai Way’s network reached an important technological milestone in its transition from analogue to digital terrestrial. We are currently undergoing another fundamental evolution: new digital terrestrial.
This process consists of the following steps:

freeing up frequency band 700MHz (also known as ‘re-farming’);
the use of elevated compression standards which allow for high-definition transmission (MPEG4 encryption instead of current MPEG2);
the adoption of DVB-T2 technology.

The re-farming processs has affected all countries in the European Union. In fact, it originated from a decision by the European Parliament and the European Council on May 17, 2017, to foster the development of 5G, a next-generation ultra-wideband mobile technology, and it prescribed the obligation for TV operators to release the band of terrestrial frequencies around 700 MHz (more precisely, the frequencies between 694 and 790 MHz).

In Italy, the transposition of the EU decision first took place in the Budget Law 2018 (L.205/17), which defined the modalities of the 700 MHz band liberation process.

The Budget Law of 2019 (L.145/18) introduced important modifications The and definitively enshrined all the actions to be implemented for refarming, the conclusion of which was set for June 30, 2022.

In particular, the Budget Law of 2019:

demanded from AgCom the updated National Frequency Allocation Plan for Digital Terrestrial Television (NFAP DTT) to keep track of the reduction of bandwidth available to television operators, as well as radio-electrical restrictions in place on an international level, in terms of bordering countries.
entrusted the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) with the honour of: 1. implementing the NFAP DTT issued by AgCom; 2. allocating frequencies to national and local operators; 3. identifying a temporary plan, or roadmap, for the implementation of the NFAP DTT.

THE NFAP DDT

On 7th February 2019, AgCom published, with resolution 39-19-CONS, the essentially definitive NFAP DTT. Minor adjustments were made on 23rd April 2020 (resolution 162/20/CONS).

Frequency allocation

The process of allocating networks to various operators itook place through different procedures – allocation by right, Beauty Contest, and competition – and was internally managed by the MED. There was one exception: since the issuing of the NFAP, a specific network was identified, to be allocated to the Public Service Concessionaire for the broadcasting of general content from Rai. Today, Rai is allocated three NFAP networks.

Definition of the roadmap

One of the first roadmaps was proposed in a Ministerial Decree from the MED on 19th June 2019. It was modified following the Ministerial Decree of 30th July 2021.

Roadmap: the main steps in transitioning to new digital TV

The roadmap defined the timetable that broadcasters had to comply with in changing the encryption (transitioning from high definition with standard compression MPEG4), in re-farming processes (freeing up frequency band 700MHz and adhering to the NFAP). The roadmap of the implementation of the new DVB-T2 standard is not yet defined.

Transition to standaqrd mpeg-4

After the transition to new standard MPEG-4 for thematic channels, which took place on 20th October 2021, Italy’s activation of MPEG-4 encryption for all programmes of national television broadcasters has been scheduled for 8th March 2022.

For more information, visit this link: https://nuovatvdigitale.mise.gov.it/passaggio-al-mpeg4/

Re-farming calendar

The frequency reorganization steps began on 15th November 202, and ended on 30th June 2022 (more details at this link).

Rai Way’s Role: Rai’s transmission into New Digital Terrestrial

Re-farming has been a priority for Rai Way, which has replaced broadcasting and transmission equipment and adapted its network with considerable human and technical effort.

Our role has been to fully support Rai in this historic change, while also making a positive contribution to the technological evolution of the Country's infrastructure..

Investments. bout 150 million euros were invested in the refarming project for Rai.

Activities. We engaged all our technical and human excellences, taking full advantage of our ur widespread presence across the Country to carry out the re-farming. Not only did we reconfigure the network to bring it in line with the new standards: we also took this opportunity to carry out a technological and digital upgrade, which will open us up to innovative future prospects.

These activities were carried out on around 2,000 sites, and include:

12 new Main encryption platforms and 12 new Disaster Recovery encryption platforms, with IP signal broadcasting between the different production centres;
Securing permissions and licenses with the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies/MED on more than 2,000 sites;
Provision and installation of around 7,000 pieces of transmission equipment on high-power sites (roughly 30 locations), on mid-power sites (roughly 70 locations), and on low-power sites (roughly 190 locations);
Around 100 interventions on new and/or modified radiation systems.

As well as performing interventions on the entire terrestrial and satellite broadcasting network, composed of 5 Transponders.

Agreement with Rai. Rai Way’s activities and investments in terms of re-farming and transition to new digital terrestrial were defined in an agreement with Rai, dated 10th December 2019. This agreement also remodelled the terms of the Service Contract, with incremental annual revenue for Rai Way equal to around 16 million Euros, from 1st July 2021.

Download the press release for our re-farming agreement

Rai Way’s Role in Local Broadcasting

Strengthened by the technological and infrastructural experience which characterises Rai Way, the Company, following the allocation of local frequencies in competitions carried out by the Ministry of Economic Development, stands as the entity that has built and manages the 8 broadcasting networks for major private regional television operators in Lombardy, Piedmont, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Lazio, Puglia, Basilicata and Sicily.

Are you a consumer who’d like to find out more about the compatibility of your television or decoder?

To find out more about the technology of your TV, and whether you may eventually need a decoder and/or a change in TV set, we invite you to take a look at the dedicated website created by the Ministry of Economic Development.

To check the frequencies and channels in your area, contact our virtual assistant.

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