Network licences for terrestrial television transmission to Digita Oy

Ministry of Transport and Communications
Publication date 8.10.2009 13.59
Press release

The Government of Finland has issued television network licences for multiplexes A, B and C to Digita Oy. The licence terms ensure that the current transmission and packaging standards for distribution of television programmes will be used at least until the end of 2016. This means that consumers will not have to purchase any new terminal devices until at least 2017.

The television programme coverage will improve significantly with the new licence terms that ensure and improve the channel coverage. Digita is obliged to ensure that new shadow areas of 50 people or more will be covered by the national channels. Furthermore, to improve the coverage area of multiplex C, Digita will have to construct 92 new gapfillers by 31 December 2010.

Multiplexes A, B and C will transmit free terrestrial television channels and a majority of pay-TV channels. The network licence for multiplexes A, B and C is held by Digita until 31 September 2010 and the new licences were issued for a period of 1 September 2010 to 31 December 2016.

The licences will cover the whole of Finland excluding the Region of Åland.
Licence applicants included Digita Oy, and Teracom AB from Sweden.

Further information:
Ms Maaret Suomi, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 9 160 28150, +358 40 700 5620