Authorities envisage that, by March 2020, the entire population of the Republic of Moldova should have access to digital television via ether. Adrian Lebedinschi, the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Culture, Education, Research, Youth, Sport and Mass-Media, announced this at a press conference held on September 19.
"There have been purchased 9000 set-top boxes to be distributed to disadvantaged people and we will buy more if there is demand so that, by March, we could ensure access to digital information," said the chair of the parliamentary committee.
Adrian Lebedinschi also mentioned that having access to digital television, people would be able to watch 18 TV programs broadcast free of charge on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
"At this moment, only 6 television stations use the digital service and broadcast via ether. We hope that, by March 1, 2020, the Audiovisual Council will announce a competition for the remaining slots,” said Adrian Lebedinschi.
Also, Adrian Lebedinchi maintains that he expects the Audiovisual Council to ask media sources to broadcast the advertising spots prepared for the purpose of informing the citizens about the transition to digital television through ether.
The MP mentioned that it is in the interest of the televisions to switch to the broadcast in ether, as it would have greater national coverage, which would bring a larger audience, and implicitly revenues from advertising.
The Republic of Moldova signed the Agreement of the Regional Radiocommunication Conference (RRC) in Geneva in 2006, along with more than 100 countries. In accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, the signatories undertook to make the transition from analogue terrestrial television to digital television by June 17, 2015.
The first Resolution to materialize the transition issue and assign tasks to ministries and other institutions was adopted by the Government on May 8, 2015 - one month before the expiry of the digitalization deadline. The Resolution established, without any explanation, a new deadline for completing the transition to digital terrestrial television broadcasting- December 31, 2017, a deadline that was not met, being subsequently extended.
