DTT Licence awarded to ORS

The Austrian government has awarded broadcast network operator ORS a licence to launch DTT services in Austria.

DTT services are expected to be launched in Autumn 2006.
Viewers will be able to receive three television programme services, ORF1, ORF2 and commercial service ATV+. In addition, a second regional version of ORF2 will also be made available to viewers. These services will be operated from MUX A.
By 1 March 2007; MUX A must reach 60% of households and increase its population coverage to 90% by March 2009. A second multiplex, MUX B, is also likely to be launched. It is required to have a population coverage of at least 60% by the beginning of 2008 and provide access to a minimum of three television programme services.
ORS plans to use 11 DVB-T transmitters for the launch of MUX A this autumn and reach 70% of the population. A further 5 transmitters are to be put into service in February 2007 increasing the population coverage to 77%. An extra 51 transmitters will be added to increase the coverage to 91% of the population by the end of 2008 at the latest.
It is expected that analogue switch-off will be in 2010.
Source: Digitag and   Heise online
Item added: 27th February 2006