If you live in Spain and watch TV, then this news might affect you. Digital terrestrial television (TDT) in Spain is preparing for changes due to the arrival of the new 5G mobile network. Before 30th June 2020, all public and private channels will have a new frequency within the digital spectrum, which will mean that neighbourhood communities will have to adapt their TV aerials and the necessary infrastructure to be able to continue watching television as before.
According to government estimates, the municipalities of 32 provinces in Andalusia, Aragon, Castile La Mancha, Castile and Leon, Valencia, Extremadura, Galicia, the Balearic Islands, La Rioja, Navarre and the Basque Country will suffer from a television blackout before 30th June if TV aerials aren't changed. This measure is thought to affect 21 million inhabitants and some 850,000 community buildings.
The good news is that only one of the registered installation companies will have to be contacted to update the frequency tuning, without the need to change equipment or install new decoders.
The government also plans to allocate 145 million euros to subsidise these changes, as the cost re-tuning ranges from 100 to 677 euros. Take note that only community housing will be eligible, not single-family homes.
- Find out how you can also watch TV from home while in Spain