The Italian interference that for years hindered the reception of Croatian TV programs along the Adriatic coast finally removed
The removal of interference and termination of the remaining Italian TV transmitters secured the conditions for the smooth reception of existing Croatian TV programs, the further development of terrestrial television services, and the smooth implementation of fifth-generation public mobile communications networks in the Republic of Croatia.
ZAGREB, 11 August 2022 - The Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) confirmed during the radio broadcast interference measurement c campaign that it is currently being carried out along the Adriatic coast that the Italian Republic has implemented measures following the RSPG opinion and has ceased to operate transmitters on Croatian TV channels in the 470-694 MHz band and in the 700MHz band, where implementation of 5G networks began in the Republic of Croatia began in August, last year.
To recall, the interference of the internationally uncoordinated Italian TV transmitters started back in the analogue television era, and the situation deteriorated further after Italy began switching to digital television at the end of 2010. In all these years, before becoming a member of the European Union, HAKOM attempted to resolve these obstacles in accordance with the International Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) through bilateral cooperation with the Italian Republic and through procedures for resolving interference within the competence of the Radio and Communication Office (Radiocommunication Bureau) and the Radio Regulations Board (ITU). During this period, HAKOM sent over 8000 interference complaints with the Italian Republic and ITU authorities, demanding the immediate removal of such interference. Upon accession to the European Union, HAKOM has been actively participating in the work of the Radio spectrum Policy Group (hereinafter: RSPG) of the European Commission since 2013, as well as in the RSPG subgroup for cross-border coordination “Good offices”. During this entire period of time, the representatives of HAKOM emphasized the great problem of Italian interference with Croatian radio and television programs that have been going on for several decades. Besides the Italian administration, ITU and RSPG were also regularly informed of this.
In addition, Decision (EU) 2017/899 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on the use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band in the Union (hereinafter: the UHF Decision) provides for the release of the 700MHz frequency band by 30 June 2020, in order to allow the deployment of wireless broadband networks in that band, and the EU Member States are required to cooperate with each other in the implementation of that Decision.
Although mutual agreements and established international plans were signed for the UHF zone, and despite the fact that a part of the problem was solved at the beginning of 2017 when the Italian Republic amended its UHF TV plan by which frequencies that most interfered with neighboring countries were excluded, the Republic of Croatia still had a large number of reported cases of harmful interference resulting from the non-harmonized use of frequencies in relation to the Italian Republic. The same had a significant impact on the conversion and release of the 700 MHz harmonized frequency band and the admission of Croatian TV programs in the 470-694 MHz frequency band, after the Republic of Croatia liberated the 700 MHz frequency band for fifth-generation wireless broadband mobile communications networks (5G). In this regard, there was no certain solution to this issue, which made it difficult for the Republic of Croatia to implement activities within the deadlines foreseen by the UHF Decision, and was further exacerbated by the Italian Republic's decision to postpone the release of the 700 MHz bands andd until 2022. Therefore, was in January 2021, pursuant to Article 28(3) EUTMR. Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the European electronic Communications Code (hereinafter: the Code), HAKOM submitted a request to mediate and issue an RSPG opinion, making the Republic of Croatia the first country in the Union to use that instrument to address interference.
The RSPG meeting in June 2021 adopted the RSPG Opinion (RSPG21-029), which, in part of the proposed coordinated solution, adopts measures that ensure the smooth operation of TV channels in the 470-694 MHz band and the smooth operation of fifth-generation mobile communications networks (5G) in the 700 MHz band, which is particularly important in relation to the public auction procedure for the allocation of 700 MHz band for 5G networks in the Republic of Croatia in August 2021, based on which the implementation of 5G RF.
Following the adoption of the RSPG opinion, HAKOM's activities aimed at insisting on the implementation of this opinion and the termination of the work of Italian uncoordinated TV transmitters, whose results were reported by HAKOM in May, when the termination of the work of most Italian transmitters on Croatian frequencies in the UHF band was confirmed, and the exclusion of the remaining transmitters was announced by July of this year. Further to the above, HAKOM confirmed during the broadcasting disruptions measurement campaign currently being conducted along the Adriatic coast that the Italian Republic has also stopped the operation of remaining TV transmitters, thus implementing all RSPG measures.
Removing this interference and closing the remaining Italian TV transmitters that used Croatian frequency resources in the UHF band ensure conditions for the smooth reception of existing Croatian TV programs along the Adriatic coast, as well as further development of terrestrial television services and the smooth implementation of fifth generation public mobile communications networks (5G) in the Republic of Croatia.
HAKOM will continue its cross-border coordination activities in order to solve interference with Croatian radio transmitters, both within RSPG and within the ITU bodies.
ZAGREB, 11 August 2022 - The Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) confirmed during the radio broadcast interference measurement c campaign that it is currently being carried out along the Adriatic coast that the Italian Republic has implemented measures following the RSPG opinion and has ceased to operate transmitters on Croatian TV channels in the 470-694 MHz band and in the 700MHz band, where implementation of 5G networks began in the Republic of Croatia began in August, last year.
To recall, the interference of the internationally uncoordinated Italian TV transmitters started back in the analogue television era, and the situation deteriorated further after Italy began switching to digital television at the end of 2010. In all these years, before becoming a member of the European Union, HAKOM attempted to resolve these obstacles in accordance with the International Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) through bilateral cooperation with the Italian Republic and through procedures for resolving interference within the competence of the Radio and Communication Office (Radiocommunication Bureau) and the Radio Regulations Board (ITU). During this period, HAKOM sent over 8000 interference complaints with the Italian Republic and ITU authorities, demanding the immediate removal of such interference. Upon accession to the European Union, HAKOM has been actively participating in the work of the Radio spectrum Policy Group (hereinafter: RSPG) of the European Commission since 2013, as well as in the RSPG subgroup for cross-border coordination “Good offices”. During this entire period of time, the representatives of HAKOM emphasized the great problem of Italian interference with Croatian radio and television programs that have been going on for several decades. Besides the Italian administration, ITU and RSPG were also regularly informed of this.
In addition, Decision (EU) 2017/899 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on the use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band in the Union (hereinafter: the UHF Decision) provides for the release of the 700MHz frequency band by 30 June 2020, in order to allow the deployment of wireless broadband networks in that band, and the EU Member States are required to cooperate with each other in the implementation of that Decision.
Although mutual agreements and established international plans were signed for the UHF zone, and despite the fact that a part of the problem was solved at the beginning of 2017 when the Italian Republic amended its UHF TV plan by which frequencies that most interfered with neighboring countries were excluded, the Republic of Croatia still had a large number of reported cases of harmful interference resulting from the non-harmonized use of frequencies in relation to the Italian Republic. The same had a significant impact on the conversion and release of the 700 MHz harmonized frequency band and the admission of Croatian TV programs in the 470-694 MHz frequency band, after the Republic of Croatia liberated the 700 MHz frequency band for fifth-generation wireless broadband mobile communications networks (5G). In this regard, there was no certain solution to this issue, which made it difficult for the Republic of Croatia to implement activities within the deadlines foreseen by the UHF Decision, and was further exacerbated by the Italian Republic's decision to postpone the release of the 700 MHz bands andd until 2022. Therefore, was in January 2021, pursuant to Article 28(3) EUTMR. Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the European electronic Communications Code (hereinafter: the Code), HAKOM submitted a request to mediate and issue an RSPG opinion, making the Republic of Croatia the first country in the Union to use that instrument to address interference.
The RSPG meeting in June 2021 adopted the RSPG Opinion (RSPG21-029), which, in part of the proposed coordinated solution, adopts measures that ensure the smooth operation of TV channels in the 470-694 MHz band and the smooth operation of fifth-generation mobile communications networks (5G) in the 700 MHz band, which is particularly important in relation to the public auction procedure for the allocation of 700 MHz band for 5G networks in the Republic of Croatia in August 2021, based on which the implementation of 5G RF.
Following the adoption of the RSPG opinion, HAKOM's activities aimed at insisting on the implementation of this opinion and the termination of the work of Italian uncoordinated TV transmitters, whose results were reported by HAKOM in May, when the termination of the work of most Italian transmitters on Croatian frequencies in the UHF band was confirmed, and the exclusion of the remaining transmitters was announced by July of this year. Further to the above, HAKOM confirmed during the broadcasting disruptions measurement campaign currently being conducted along the Adriatic coast that the Italian Republic has also stopped the operation of remaining TV transmitters, thus implementing all RSPG measures.
Removing this interference and closing the remaining Italian TV transmitters that used Croatian frequency resources in the UHF band ensure conditions for the smooth reception of existing Croatian TV programs along the Adriatic coast, as well as further development of terrestrial television services and the smooth implementation of fifth generation public mobile communications networks (5G) in the Republic of Croatia.
HAKOM will continue its cross-border coordination activities in order to solve interference with Croatian radio transmitters, both within RSPG and within the ITU bodies.
For additional information please contact:
Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM)
- Roberta Frangeša-Mihanovića 9 Street
- 10110 Zagreb, Croatia
- Tel. + 385 (0) 1 700 70 07
- Fax + 385 (0)1 700 70 70
Media inquiries can be submitted online using HAKOM’s official website: www.hakom.hr
About Hakom
HAKOM - Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries – ensures preconditions for a fair market competition, stable growth and environment for innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market. HAKOM protects users’ interests and the possibility of choice among various communications and postal services at affordable prices, defines sustainable competitive conditions for operators and service providers under fair conditions for return on investment, and provides support to economic growth, public services and the quality of life in the Republic of Croatia by using modern technologies. HAKOM’ strategic goals are: to promote regulation of the electronic communications and postal services market, to support growth of investments and innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market, to provide efficient use of limited resources, to accelerate the growth of broadband products and services, to provide affordable offers of communications and postal services, to provide protection and informing of users, to build an efficient and comprehensive information system, to define and implement efficient processes, and to acquire multi-disciplinary expertise in market regulation.