Azerbaijan, Baku, June 19 / Trend , E.Ismayilov/
The Communications and IT Ministry of Azerbaijan plans to move the program to begin digital broadcasting of 8-10 programs through one channel, the Ministry said. This will be possible after the installation of new equipment of MPEG-4 standard.
Digital broadcasting of four programs is implemented by one channel. The broadcasting will be held in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, as well as in other regions later.
On the recommendation of the International Telecommunications Union, all countries, including Azerbaijan, should fully move to digital broadcasting format in 2015. The transition to digital broadcasting in Azerbaijan is planned to implement through three phases. The first phase covers the 2007-2010, the second - 2011-2013 and the third - 2014-2015.
The first phase is scheduled to put into operation two packages, each of which consists of four channels in the cities of Baku, Ganja and Nakhchivan, and across the country planned to use a single package. As a result, 60-70 percent of the population will be provided with digital broadcasting.
The second phase is planned to introduce a third package of services, but across the country will operate two packages for Baku, Ganja and Nakhchivan. Digital broadcasting will cover 90 percent of the population. All three packages of 12 broadcasting program is expected to be operated before 2013.
At last, the third phase envisages the quality of digital broadcasts will be improved through the installation of additional transmitters.
The pilot version of the project was adopted in Baku in October 2004.