Spanish DTT 'will reach 88%'

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Tobías Martínez, CEO of Spain’s largest television transmission network operator Abertis Telecom (and pictured, left), is forecasting that DTT will reach 88% of the population by next August.

Martínez said: "We will speed up DTT penetration as long as TV sets with digital tuners integrated are being sold more and more."

In March, a total of 427,000 DTT decoders were sold in Spain and 77,000 in particular in the region of Cataluña.

But Abertis' CEO also recognises the most difficult times towards analogue switch off are yet to come. National switch over is targeted for April 3, 2010.

Abertis Telecom has the ability to extend its DTT network to 96% of the national population which is also the broadcaster's duty after switch over.

DTT's audience has already surpassed that of cable, reaching a 13.8% share while cable has 13% share. The regions of Madrid and the Canary Islands lead the group with the highest digital penetration.



Source: Rapid TV News