The entire population of Moldova by next March should have access to ether digital television. The people could be provided with a program content produced in Moldova. The persons who will have access to digital television could follow 18 TV programs broadcast free on the country’s territory. Currently, the service is available on 93% of the territory and for 95% of the population, IPN reports.
Secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure Vitalie Tarlev, in the meeting of the parliamentary commission on culture, education, research, youth and sport, which centered on the preparations for the switchover to digital television, said a 700 MHz frequency band will be released for other services requested by the people, such as 5G. A package of 15 slots for ether programs has been available for three years. Only seven of these are used. Two TV channels with national coverage are broadcast in analog format. The state-owned enterprise “Radiocomunicații” prepared the networks for multiplex B as well.
As to the state of the market, the official stated that all the TV sets that have been imported during the past five years at least have an incorporated set-top box as the producers reoriented themselves. As regards the devices market, an analysis for the last three years shows that about 4,000-5,000 set-top boxes are imported annually.
Vitalie Tarlev noted that to ensure the socially deprived people’s access to digital television, the recipients of social benefit receive these convertors from the authorities free of charge. About 9,000 applications for such convertors were accepted last year. 250 devices remained undistributed. A sum of 9 million lei was earmarked for 2020 for buying 25,000-27,000 set-top boxes. A device costs the state about 200 lei. On the market, prices vary between 300 and 500 lei depending on the type. Applications can be filed to the social assistant.
