Mexico. As planned, on December 31, 2015, the analog television signal was blackout in 34 stations in 2 states of Mexico.
The process culminated after the Ministry of Communications and Transport informed the Federal Institute of Telecommunications, IFT, that a level of penetration of digital receivers of at least 90% of low-income households defined by the Ministry of Social Development (SEDESOL) for the aforementioned signals was reached.
497 stations and complementary low-power equipment will continue to carry out their analog transmissions in order that the population continues to receive this service in the respective areas while these stations begin digital transmissions.
These 497 stations and complementary equipment serve about 1% of the population that receives broadcast television signals in the country, since their main coverage area is generally located in remote, dispersed and low population density areas; but, without prejudice to the fact that another population within the coverage areas of these stations and complementary equipment may receive digital signals from other stations.
In this sense, the owners of the stations and equipment must make the necessary investments and facilities in accordance with the deadlines provided for in the Continuity Program that, in due course, will be issued by the Institute, reiterating that, in no case, the derived actions must exceed December 31, 2016.
In order to prepare the population for the blackout, the Institute carried out four national dissemination campaigns and various local campaigns, both in electronic media, as well as in spectacular, billboards, boleros, newspapers, periphon, flyers, posters, among others, to inform the population about the date and time of the transition to digital terrestrial television in their localities.
Additionally, training and information actions were carried out for more than 800 people and support was provided to the review of technical content for the design of materials with various self-service, departmental and specialized electronics stores, so that they had the necessary information to guide the population on the ideal equipment to receive digital television signals. Posters, ruffles, bracelets, bags and other promotional items were also distributed.
To date, 69,255 calls have been received in the Telephone Contact Center, through which doubts have been answered and the population has been guided on the actions to follow in homes to be able to enjoy DTT. This service will continue to operate during 2016 on the number 01800 880 24 24.
To resolve the doubts of the population, the IFT keeps open the portal www.tdt.mx and a call center with the number 01- 800 880 24 24.
