Kazakhstan, Astana, May 29 /Trend D.Mukhtarov/
Satellite Broadcasting Network OTAU TV, commissioned in early last year, provides 100 per cent coverage over the republic, the Minister of Transport and Communications of Kazakhstan Askar Zhumagaliyev said.
"The number of OTAU TV subscribers had exceeded 130,000 at the beginning of May 2012. Some 5500 households of these are connected to the 617 locations where there is no analogue broadcasting public TV," Zuhmagaliyev said.
Zuhmagaliyev added that broadcasts of 32 local television and five free access radio channels are provided. Subscribers have access to 60 channels of different genres for a fee.
With regard to digital broadcasting, it was tested in Astana, Almaty, Karaganda, Zhezkazgan and Zhanaozen. Coverage at the first stage is 23 per cent of the population.
Broadcast of 30 television channels is being provided at a level of regional centres and countries as well as Astana, Almaty. Broadcast of 15elevision channels is provided to the regional and rural districts.
The minister said the further development of digital terrestrial television network will be taken in following steps:
2012-2013 year - Network construction of 13 regional centres and border areas, covering 56 per cent of the population.
2013-1014 years. - Network construction at the border areas covering 80 per cent of the population.
2014-2015. - Network construction in the interior areas, covering 95 per cent of the population.