The Deputy Minister of Economic Development Antonio Catricalà, during a hearing held today in the Senate, announced that the auction for the assignment of TV frequencies, the result of the so-called 'digital dividend' will probably be closed by this summer year and will start from the price of 90,75 million for the three lots.
"The economic offers provide for a competitive improvement system, with a minimum amount established on the basis of the cost per inhabitant and [taking into account the] potential coverage: the starting bid envisaged in the tender is approximately 29.300.00 euros, 29.825.000 euros, 31.625.000 euros respectively” explained Catricalà.
The Communications Regulatory Authority (Agcom) provides for coverage “ranging from 89,5% for lot L1 (and 91,1% for L2) to 96,6% for lot L3. Lots L1 and L2 could present residual international compatibility problems”, specified the deputy minister.
Catricalà also recalled that the provision allows only new entrants or small operators, i.e. those who own only one multiplex, to compete for all three lots.
Integrated operators who carry out their activities on other platforms with a market share of more than 50% of pay-TV will be able to compete only for two lots, at most L1 and L3.
However, operators who own three or more Mediaset, Rai and Telecom Italia Media multiplexes are excluded from participating in the tender.
Frequencies that make up three national digital terrestrial television networks will be auctioned "with a twenty-year non-transferable right of use for the first three years, two in the VHF band and one in the UHF band".
