June, 17, Moldova officially inaugurates the process of transiting to the digital terrestrial television broadcasting.
Upon the recommendation of Pavel Filip, Minister of Information Technology and Communications, the Government of Moldova approved on April, 22 the strategy for TV broadcasting transiting from analog signal to the digital. It also approved relevant alterations and amendments to the Television and Radio Broadcasting Code.
According to the Minister, the transition from the analogue TV broadcasting to the digital terrestrial will be carried out in stages. During the first three years (transition stage) the digital broadcasting will coexist with the analog. Those subscribers whose TV devices are equipped with TV receivers (a built-in tuner or a digital set-top box), will be able to receive programs in the digital format DVB-T2. Those who watch TV using legacy TV-sets can go on receiving signal in analog standard.
Following this period the television signal in analogue format will be shut off. The Government undertakes the provision of economically disadvantaged people with free set-top boxes for receiving digital TV signal.
The Company issuing licenses for digital broadcasting and distributing frequencies will become the state-owned enterprise Radiocomunicaţii. This company, according to Pavel Filip, commands all required infrastructure base, including equipment, towers, transmission circuits, etc. On the other hand, the country didn’t manage to find any other company, which would be ready to invest in creating national multiplexes.
As a part of the Program implementation Moldova intends to create three national multiplexes and 21 regional networks.
