The first digital multiplex was launched in Moldova on November 1, 2016. The multiplex covers up to 80% of the population and, at the first stage, includes eight TV channels that will ensure digital terrestrial broadcasting. These are: Moldova1, Prime TV, TVR Moldova, Canal 2, Canal 3, Publica TV, N4, and Accent TV, IPN reports.

In a press release, the Ministry of Information and Communication technology says another seven TV channels with broadcast licenses for Multiplex A are: Agro TV, Jurnal TV, TV7, ITV, Regional TV, Super TV, and CTC. These will be included in the package immediately after they sign contracts for the provision of services and ensure the signal source for Head-End.

Thus, from November 1, the population can receive TV programs in digital terrestrial signal. The transition to digital terrestrial television is ensured by replacing three TV channels with national coverage with three multiplexed that can transmit up to 42 TV channels through ether. At the same time, in order to increase the efficiency of digital technology, the state-run radio-communications company Radiocomunicatii started to test the new video compression standard High Efficient Video Coding (HEVC).

The new standard, which is a successor for H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, will be applied in most of the European states starting with this year. The use of this technology will enable to place up to 28 programs in a multiplex, as opposed to at most 15 now.