Today, 103 municipalities in the rural area of the Alpes-Maritimes do not receive the 18 free channels of digital terrestrial television (TNT).
These municipalities will be able to access them:
– either through the installation of a free satellite package (ASTRA satellite from June 15),
– or by the set-up of new terrestrial relays.
The plan approved by the General Council aims to compensate for the extra costs imposed by satellite reception.
The aid from the General Council will amount to €150 (a lump sum) for private homes (which is 88% of the estimated average cost of the equipment, priced at €170). For communal housing, tourist accommodations, nursing homes, hospitals, etc., it will cover 40% of the equipment costs incurred, up to a ceiling of €2,000.
This departmental aid, not subject to an income cap, can be combined with the benefits of the national assistance fund for individuals exempt from TV licensing fees. It also aims to prioritize the use of small, discreetly shaped satellite dishes that are more expensive but more environmentally friendly.
The implementation of this plan will be launched in July of the coming year, as soon as the national regulatory authority for broadcasting (CSA) has determined the territorial distribution of terrestrial and satellite coverage.
