Delays to ASO plan expected

The existing ASO plan for Italy is likely to be disrupted by the timing of the World Cup programme and regional elections according to media reports.
As a result of these activities the two-phased analogue switch-off timetable currently set for the regions of Lombardia, eastern Piedmont, Emilia-Romagnia, Veneto, Liguria, and Friulia Venezia is expected to slip.
A final decision on any delay will be made by the CNID (National Committee for Digital Italy) on the 20th January.
Following a completion of the ASO process in 2012 five new national channels will be available on the DTT platform. Three of these channels are reserved for new broadcasters while the existing broadcasters (RAI, Mediaset, Telecom Italia) can apply for the 2 remaining channels.
Sources: Il Sole 24 Ore and Broadband TV News
Item added: 5th January 2010