Baku, Azerbaijan, June 10
By Huseyn Valiyev - Trend:
Baku is technically ready for full transition to DVB-T digital broadcasting standard, "Teleradio" production association of the Ministry of Communications and High-Technologies of Azerbaijan told Trend.
The production association said the shutdown of the analog signal depends on the decision of the National Television and Radio Council of Azerbaijan and the ministry.
At present, Baku completely covered with redundant transmitters to ensure the sustainability of the digital TV. The equipment was installed at the TV tower in Baku.
The production association plans to expand work on the creation of the reserve network in the regions of Azerbaijan in the future. The reserve network will sustain and expand coverage of digital TV signal in locations across the country where reception is weak.
Full transition to the digital broadcasting standard, is expected by the end of the year, according to the ministry's forecasts.
The complete shutdown of the analog signal will not happen until the whole population of the country receives digital television decoders. The cost of the device is 25-30 AZN on the internal market
At present, "Teleradio" PA conducts research in the field of providing the population with decoders for digital TV. The requests appealed to 58 local executive authorities of Baku and regions of Azerbaijan to explore this issue. A response was received from 43 offices. The final data will be made public after the evaluation of all the obtained results.
Digital TV decoders will be provided free on the categories of the population receiving targeted social assistance. Approximately 5.4 million manat for the production of confessional decoders will be required.
Azerbaijani postal operator - "Azerpoct" LLC will engage in the delivery of digital television decoders for the privileged categories of the population.
At the present time, digital TV signal coverage of residential areas of the country reaches 98 percent. A social package consisting of 12 channels is available for the population in the regions. Broadcasting of digital content is implemented in MPEG-4 format.
Edited by CN