Television channels of the Republic of Croatia without Italian interference

As of July, the work of Croatian TV broadcasters will no longer be obstructed by the Italian interference

ZAGREB, 11 May 2022 - The Italian Republic stopped broadcasting on almost all Croatian UHF TV channels in the 700 MHz band and in the 470-694 MHz band along the Adriatic coast, while the remaining two channels in the 700 MHz band (K-55 and K-57) are to be switched off by 30 June 2022. The carried out preliminary measurements by the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) confirm that in April 2022, a significant progress was finally made in eliminating most of the Italian UHF TV interference, and more detailed measurements will be carried out during the regular summer measurement campaign.

The interference caused by international non-harmonised Italian transmitters has been causing problems in the reception of Croatian radio and television programmes for decades, and HAKOM, in addition to the continuous measurements and reports to the Italian administration, pointed to the problem in bilateral and multilateral negotiations and activities within international institutions, ITU and the Advisory Group on Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) of the European Commission. A part of the problem was solved in early 2017 when Italy finally amended its UHF TV plan, thus excluding frequencies in some Italian regions that were most troubled by neighbouring countries. However, even after that, the Italian Republic continued to operate a large number of internationally uncoordinated transmitters using Croatian TV frequencies in the UHF band. Also, pursuant to 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, the release of the 700 MHz Harmonised frequency band for the purposes of wireless broadband mobile communications networks (5G) until 30 June 2020 and the migration of the TV channel to the 470-694 MHz frequency band, where Italian interference continued and hindered the transition and spectrum  allocation process for 5G networks in Croatia.

Since there was no such solution to this issue within the deadlines provided for, pursuant to Directive (EU) 2018/1972 on the European Electronic Communications Code, HAKOM launched a request to European bodies for mediation and issuing opinions, proposing a coordinated solution to cross-border harmful interference by the Italian Republic, the so-called “RSPG Opinion”, making the Republic of Croatia the first country in the Union to use this instrument to address interference. This was particularly important because HAKOM planned and conducted a public auction procedure for the allocation of the 700 MHz band to 5G networks in August 2021. The auction procedure gave operators licenses to use the RF spectrum and started implementing 5G networks in the Republic of Croatia.

All of these activities are the result of many years of efforts made by HAKOM and we remind you that over the last decade HAKOM has sent more than 7,000 interference reports to the administration of Italy with the request to remove it  which was at the same time reported to the International Telecommunication Community (ITU), responsible for the implementation of international agreements in the field of electronic communications.
HAKOM periodically carries out measurements throughout the year. This year from June to September it is planned to carry out  a new measuring campaign covering the area along the entire Croatian coast and including control of the FM frequency area. Unfortunately, there is still the problem of Italian interference with the Croatian radio programmes, which are dealt with separately.