Portugal’s telecommunications sector regulator Anacom has postponed the start of the analogue switch-off (ASO) in the three pilot areas, scheduled to commence in February.

Alenquer will be the first transmitter to switch off the analogue TV signal on May 12th (instead of February 3rd), followed by Cacém on June 16th (previously April 7th), while the Nazaré transmitter will cease analogue broadcasts on October 13 (rather than May 5th).

For the rest of the country, the ASO will take place in three stages. The first, on January 12th 2012, concerns transmitters and repeaters in the coastal area of Continental Portugal. In the second, on March 22nd 2012, analogue broadcasts will cease in the Azores and Madeira, while the process will be completed in the rest of the country on April 26th 2012.

At this moment, it is also unclear whether digital multiplex operator PT Comunicações (PTC) has achieved its coverage goals. Although PTC repeatedly stated over the past year that national DTT coverage would be completed on December 31st 2010, there is no official confirmation so far to confirm that this target has been met.

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