Greece is set to introduce DTT transmissions on November 1, 2008, according to Minister of State, Theodoros Roussopoulos. State broadcaster ERT will be the first to take its test broadcasts nationwide. Private and regional broadcasters will also be allowed, but at first their licences will need to be issued.
Greece has been very late to introduce digital broadcasting and the European Commission has warned the government to take action. The government has asked the National Technical University of Athens to produce a new frequency plan, to come into effect on November 1st.
The new plan should put an end to the current chaotic situation in the ether, with many unlicensed analogue broadcasters. At a joint press conference the Ministers of State and Communications said they hope that “in this way order will be restored in the sector.”
ERT started its first pilot broadcasts on January 16, 2006 using five transmitters in Athens, Thessaloniki and Thessaly to distribute the channels Prism (with sign language for the hard of hearing), Cine+ and Sport+.
(Picture of the press conference courtesy of ERT)
