Vodafone Deutschland will carry out its second pilot project for the switch-off of the analogue TV and radio channels on its cable network on May 15, 2018 in the Nuremberg region.
Besides the Franconian city, the move will also affect surrounding towns such as Fürth, Feucht, Lauf, Hersbruck, Altdorf, Stein, Schwabach, Schwaig, Zirndorf and Wendelstein – around 185,000 households in total. Vodafone has published a detailed list on its website.
Vodafone’s first pilot project for analogue switch-off on cable will take place on January 9, 2018 in the Landshut and Dingolfing region. By the end of 2018, the company wants to convert its complete cable network in Bavaria and Saxony to 100% digital TV and radio distribution as this is mandated by the local media laws of both federal states.
There is no corresponding regulation in the other federal states, but Vodafone wants to commence gradually switching off TV and radio channels across its whole footprint from summer 2018. The vacated capacities will be used for internet access at Gigabit speed and for more TV channels in HD quality.
Unitymedia was the first German cable operator to complete analogue switch-off. Besides Vodafone, cable companies wilhelm.tel and NetCologne have also announced their transition to sole digital TV carriage.
