...

Azerbaijani Communications and IT Ministry increases number of digital TV channels in Baku and Absheron peninsula

ICT Materials 23 July 2010 14:51 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 23 / Trend H. Valiyev /

The Azerbaijani Communications and Information Technologies Ministry's production association "Teleradio" will complete a project to expand coverage zone of digital television in Lerik, Shirvan and Ganja regions by late 2010, Teleradio Production Association Technical Director Mikail Abbasov told Trend.

Abbasov said that a winner of the tender announced by "Teleradio" for the purchase of television transmitters and other necessary equipment for broadcasting will be determined.

Today, digital TV has been commissioned in Baku and Absheron peninsula. Digital TV is broadcasted in MPEG-4 format. People should buy decoders to switch to digital television standard. The cost of these devices is 40-50 manat. Moreover, TVs with built-in decoders are available on the market.

"According to the forthcoming plans, a social package, consisting of 10 channels will be presented at the regional level by the end of the year. The package will be determined by the National Television and Radio Council. The number of channels in digital format in Baku and Absheron peninsula will be increased up to 20 units," Abbasov said.

AzTV, Public Television, Idman Azerbaycan, LiderTV are broadcasted in digital format. Teleradio has already applied to all the national TV companies to pass to a new broadcast standard.

Abbasov said that about 50 percent of Azerbaijan's territory will be covered by digital broadcasting standard by late 2010.

The development of digital broadcasting in Azerbaijan is one of the priority tasks for the Ministry. It intends to distribute digital television throughout the whole country soon.

ITU (International Telecommunication Union) obliges all countries to implement the full transition to digital television by 2015. According to the action plan, Azerbaijan will fully pass to digital television in 2013.

An opportunity to provide the public new and innovative teleservices will appear after passing to a new broadcast standard. The cost of connecting to additional channels and services will be determined in accordance with their quantity.

Tags:
Latest

Latest