Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug.17 / Trend, H. Valiyev /
Azerbaijani cable television operator B&BTV Communications will determine an equipment supplier for the near future digital television deployment in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, B&BTV Communications Marketing Manager Samir Mahmudov told Trend.
The question is about procuring essential equipment, coding, and protection of system equipment. The company was previously licensed and provided with the necessary frequencies to deploy digital television.
According to B&BTV Communications forecasts, work in this sphere will be completed by late 2011, after which the company will initiate digital cable rendering and terrestrial television services in the territory of the Autonomous Republic.
The company has already coordinated a list of paid channels with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic's TV and Radio Broadcasting Council. A paid package will include approximately 60 television channels. A complimentary benefits package will include all local television channels and two television channels of the autonomous republic - "Kanal 35" and "Nakhchivan TV".
Mahmudov said talks are also underway in tandem to obtain a license and frequency resources to deploy digital television of a DVB-T standard in Baku: Sumgayit and Absheron Peninsula, which will enable the company to gradually expand the coverage of digital television throughout the country. Deployment of digital television in Baku is expected in early 2012.
The company plans to offer a benefits package, which will be made available to everyone. The main base, advanced base packages, and some new highly specialized packages, will be provided on a commercial basis in accordance with consumer demands (which includes such channels as information, sports, and movies). In general, about 100 television channels will be available in a digital format. The B&BTV Communications digital TV network will cover 98 percent of the republic in 2012.