Italy will switchover its national DTT network from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 from January 1, 2020, to make room for future mobile networks on the 700 MHz. band.
The Ministry of Economic Development (Mise) has published the roadmap for the switchover, which could mean that around 10 million receivers will become obsolete.
In a surprise move, the Ministry has decided not to switch to DVB-T2 HEVC, but adopting the MPEG4 codec on the DVB-T transmission mode.
The transition. which also includes the reconfiguration of frequencies to start freeing those in the 700 band and those in conflict with neighboring countries, will be done in a very short time. Italy has been divided into four areas, each of which will have to carry out a significant part of the migration process (relocation of premises, reconfiguring new multiplexes) in windows from 4 to 7 months depending on the region.
