Digital television in Italy

=Terrestrial=In Italy the DVB-T (Digital Terrestrial Television, known as "Televisione Digitale Terrestre" in Italian) is expanding rapidly. Almost every major network in Italy—including RAI, Mediaset, Telecom Italia Media—started digital transmissions (continuing with analog television transmissions at the same time anyway until the transition is completed). Starting from January 2005 some networks (notably Mediaset and La7) started offering pay TV services through a prepaid smartcard (soccer games, usually five euros per game).

At the time of first writing (May 2005) about 60% of the Italian territory is covered by digital television signal and the entire system is considered in an experimental phase until July 2005. Although at first the definitive switch off date was set by law to December 31, 2006 with a 100% coverage of the national territory, this date has been repeatedly pushed forward. The complete switch off is set for 2012 [ [http://www.comunicazioni.it/en/index.php?IdNews=68 SWITCH OFF FOR 2012] , 1. September 2006 (engl.) ] The former Italian government (in charge until April 2006 and led by Berlusconi, the founder of Mediaset television network) started promoting the new standard by granting a financial contribution to the cityzens for the purchase of a MHP digital television decoder.

On February 2006, during the XX Olympic Winter Games held in Turin, RAI has experimentally broadcasted a number of sport events using a 1080i signal and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC coding. The HD signal has been transmitted over the Turin area, using DVB-T hyerarchical modulation, and only specially crafted decoders have been able to receive this signal: they were placed in strategical points in the town.

As used in this country, technical specification of planned as of already installed equipment and broadcasting techniques is mostly refused.

DVB-T services

= Satellite =There has been digital satellite broadcasts since 1997. Currently SKY Italia pay TV platform is broadcasting from Hotbird -satellites. HDTV regular services started in June 2006 under the name SKY HD, with the broadcasting of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in High Definition. Additional movie and sport channels are planned for the service.

RAI during the UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2008 Summer Olympics, has started experimental High Definition trasmission on "Rai Test HD", a DVB-T channel available only in Turin, Milan, Rome, Sardinia and Aosta Valley.
In Sardinia and Aosta Valley, Mediaset simulcast an High Definition version of Retequattro.
Recently Mediaset and State Owned Company RAI have considered plans to launch a Free Satellite Service (similar to the UK's Freesat Service), which would co-exist with DVB-T [ [http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?p=4411 RAI and Mediaset plan Italian freesat : Broadband TV News ] ] .

= External Links =
* [http://www.dgtvi.it Associazione DGTVi - Association for the development of digital tv in Italy]
* [http://www.mediasetonline.com/digitaleterrestre/ Mediaset Online]
* [http://www.digitaleterrestre.rai.it/ RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana]
* [http://digitaleterrestre.telecomitaliamedia.it/ LA7 and MTV Italy]

References