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Digital Transition 2020

Digital Transition 2020

On Friday November 6, 2020, the two digital terrestrial television network operators of Greece, ERT and Digea, start the second digital transition as mandated by law (1).

The 2nd Digital Transition took place following the relevant European directive (2), moving all television broadcasts, public and commercial, to their final internationally allocated frequencies, clearing spectrum for the development of 5G applications in the process.

Thus, the Greek Administration modified the existing Frequency Plan, defining the order of transition for each region as well as the new assigned frequencies for the digital terrestrial television.

The digital transition to the newly assigned frequencies started from the islands of Northeastern Aegean and was progressively completed across the country in a period of approximately 11 months.

Along with the 2nd Digital Transition, High Definition coverage of the commercial TV channels was extended in all areas required by the Frequency Plan, accessible to all viewers who have a TV or decoder compatible with HD technology.

The digital transition begins on schedule and in coordination between Digea (commercial television stations) and ERT (state television stations).
Northeast Aegean Islands - Lesvos, Lemnos, Chios, Psara
November 6, 2020
Northeast Aegean Islands - Lesvos, Lemnos, Chios, Psara
1st Digital Transition period with change of frequencies in 8 Transmitter Sites.
Dodecanese – with the exception of Kastellorizo – Ikaria, Samos
November 20, 2020
Dodecanese – with the exception of Kastellorizo – Ikaria, Samos
2nd Digital Transition period: The frequencies change in 25 Transmitter Sites.
Cyclades and Kastellorizo
December 11, 2020
Cyclades and Kastellorizo
3rd Digital Transition period with transition to the final frequencies in 13 Transmitter Sites (3).
Alexandroupoli, Didymoticho, Orestiada, Soufli, part of Komotini
January 15, 2021
Alexandroupoli, Didymoticho, Orestiada, Soufli, part of Komotini
During the 4th Digital Transition period we proceeded with the transition to the new frequencies in 6 Transmitter Sites.
Magnesia, Skyros, Sporades, parts of N.Evia, Karditsa and Larissa
February 5, 2021
Magnesia, Skyros, Sporades, parts of N.Evia, Karditsa and Larissa
5th Digital Transition period and the frequencies change in 5 Transmitter Sites.
Drama, Thasos, Kavala, Xanthi, Serres, part of Rodopi
February 26, 2021
Drama, Thasos, Kavala, Xanthi, Serres, part of Rodopi
6th Digital Transition period: The frequencies change in 7 Transmitter Sites.
Imathia, Thessaloniki, Kilkis, Pella, Pieria, Chalkidiki
March 19, 2021
Imathia, Thessaloniki, Kilkis, Pella, Pieria, Chalkidiki
7th Digital Transition period: Change of frequencies in 5 Transmitter Sites.
Grevena, Kastoria, Kozani, Florina
April 9, 2021
Grevena, Kastoria, Kozani, Florina
8th Digital Transition period with frequencies change in 8 Transmitter Sites.
Prefecture of Messenia
April 23, 2021
Prefecture of Messenia
9th Digital Transition period and the frequencies change in 3 Transmitter Sites of Messenia Prefecture.
Arcadia, Kythera, Laconia and part of Argolida Prefecture
May 14, 2021
Arcadia, Kythera, Laconia and part of Argolida Prefecture
10th Digital Transition period with frequencies change in 6 Transmitter Sites (4).
Aitoloakarnania, Arta, Achaia, Ilia, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Lefkada and Preveza
May 28, 2021
Aitoloakarnania, Arta, Achaia, Ilia, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Lefkada and Preveza
11th Digital Transition period with transition to the final frequencies to an additional 13 Transmitter Sites.
Evrytania, Thesprotia, Ioannina, Corfu, Larissa, Trikala and part of Karditsa Prefecture
July 13, 2021
Evrytania, Thesprotia, Ioannina, Corfu, Larissa, Trikala and part of Karditsa Prefecture
12th Digital Transition period: Change of frequencies in 22 Transmitter Sites.
Attica, Southern Evia, Argolida and part of Arcadia Prefecture
September 3, 2021
Attica, Southern Evia, Argolida and part of Arcadia Prefecture
With the 13th Digital Transition period, frequencies’ change takes place in an additional 16 Transmitter Sites.
Viotia, Corinth, Fthiotida, Fokida, parts of Achaia and Northern Evia
September 17, 2021
Viotia, Corinth, Fthiotida, Fokida, parts of Achaia and Northern Evia
At the last but one step, the 14th Digital Transition period, the frequencies change in 8 Transmitter Sites.
Crete
October 20, 2021
Crete
The TV channels change in 15 Transmitter Sites, with Crete being the 15th and final step of the transition to the final frequencies (5).
Bibliography

(1) JMD 716-003/30-04-2014, JMD 18/2020, G.G Β’ 1752, 7/5/2020, Decision EETT 951/01/2020, G.G. Β’ 3725, 7/9/2020, JMD 22176, G.G. Β’ 3011, 8/7/2021, JMD 36/2021, 30/09/2021, Decision EETT 1019/01 G.G. Β΄148, 20/01/2022

(2) Decision 2017/899 of the European Parliament

(3) The transition in Kastellorizo took place on 10/12/2020 due to adverse weather conditions.

(4) According to State decision, on Friday 16/7/2021, ERT and Digea, proceeded in the change of frequencies for the Nationwide TV Stations at the Regional Unit of Arcadia, in order to address interference phenomena. The impacted Transmitters Sites were the following: Asea, Doliana, Levidi.  JMD 22176, G.G. Β’ 3011, 8/7/2021

(5) JMD 36/202130/09/2021, Decision EETT 1019/01 G.G. Β΄148, 20/01/2022