The Spanish government has allocated €290 million for the upgrade of communal antenna systems required by the transfer of frequencies in the 800MHz band to the telecoms sector.
Some 1 million buildings will be affected by the change that has been mandated at the European level. Without the upgrade residents in Spain’s many shared apartments risk losing around 10% of their available channels.
A Royal Decree is to be approved within the next few weeks.
In a statement the Spanish trade ministry said the release of the 790-862MHz frequency band for 4G mobile devices would allow Spanish industry to stay ahead in telecommunications and generate new employment.
A simulcast period for existing channels, slated to last for several months, is already up and running in 40% of the country.
In addition the Technical Plan states that 30% of available frequencies for the national private television will be put forward in a new franchise round with priority given to HD channels.
