Via the switch off, Rai and Mediaset depart

First step of the path towards the new digital terrestrial, with the start of the transmission of some Rai and Mediaset channels in the new Mpeg-4 standard from tomorrow. For many Italians it is time to check the compatibility of their TV and possibly change it, taking advantage of the TV bonus. The transition to the new digital terrestrial standard will allow you to enjoy a much higher image quality than the current one and to receive more channels. The process was determined by the need to free up the 700 Mhz band, widely used in Italy, especially by local TVs, to make room for the 5G network for telephone operators. The switch off of the signal, just over ten years after the transition to Dvb-T1, which has radically changed the viewing modes on the small screen, begins with a first phase,in which the choices are left to the individual broadcasters. Rai has decided to broadcast in Mpeg4 only the specialized channels (Rai 4, Rai 5, Rai Movie, Rai YoYo, Rai Sport + HD, Rai Storia, Rai Gulp, Rai Premium and Rai Scuola), while the general channels will remain visible in Mpeg2. Mediaset will do the same (they switch to the new standard TgCom 24, Mediaset Italia 2, Boing Plus, Radio 105, R101 Tv and Virgin Radio Tv). The definitive disposal of the Mpeg2 encoding, with the obligation for broadcasters to adapt, will be established in a provision to be adopted by the end of 2021. The calendar for the reorganization of the frequencies in the regional areas provides that the transition will take place from 15 November 2021 to 18 December 2021 in area 1A - Sardinia; from 3 January 2022 to 15 March 2022 in area 2 - Valle d'Aosta, Piedmont,Lombardy except the province of Mantua, the province of Piacenza, the province of Trento, the province of Bolzano; in area 3 - Veneto, province of Mantua, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna except the province of Piacenza; from 1 March 2022 to 15 May 2022 in area 4 - Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, Basilicata; Abruzzo, Molise, Marche; From 1 May 2022 to 30 June 2022 in area 1B - Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Campania. Since then the standard will pass from Mpeg2 in favor of Mpeg4, which already allows you to see the channels in HD today. All those who have a TV that already allows the reception of the high definition signal from number 500 onwards on the remote control will have no problem receiving the channels. The government has confirmed that the sale of the 700 MHz band to telephony remains set for July 1, 2022.The activation of Dvbt-2 at national level, on the other hand, will be arranged starting from January 1, 2023. To check if your screen is compatible with this standard, you need to tune into the two test channels 100 and 200: only if the message "Test HEVC Main10 "the model is enabled for reception. It is estimated that about 10 million households need an upgrade and as of October 1st, the threshold of one million devices purchased with the bonus, which can be used since last August, was exceeded. There are two incentives: if you have an ISEE below 20 thousand euros, you can have a discount of 30 euros for the purchase of a decoder or a television. On the other hand, there are no income limits in case of scrapping,which entitles you to a 20% discount on the cost of the new device up to a maximum of 100 euros. The bonus can be received until the end of 2022 or until resources are exhausted.