The program on the transition from analogical terrestrial television to digital television is being examined by ministries and is to be approved by the Governemnt in several weeks. The chairman of the Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC) Marian Pocaznoi has told IPN that the Council is ready to announce a contest for the TV channels that will be included free in the digital package and is waiting for the authorities’ decision. On June 17, 2015, the broadcasting of analogical terrestrial television will be stopped all over Moldova.
The authorities are convinced that they will manage to meet all the requirements for switching over to digital television as Moldova’s territory is small, unlike that of Romania, which extended the switchover deadline by several years. In the municipality of Chisinau, the digital television regime is already tested by a multiplex (digital television network) that transmits the signal to several TV channels.
BCC member Maria Onceanu-Hadarca said there will be no problems as regards the construction of multiplexes. The authorities are concerned about how to provide the socially deprived people with the equipment needed for the old TV sets to decode the signal of multiplexes. Immediately after the construction of multiplexes, the Council will announce a context to select 10-12 TV channels whose signals will be transmitted free of charge.
The program worked out by the ICT Ministry envisions the building of three digital television networks with national coverage and up to 21 regional multiplexes. The first two multiplexes with national coverage will be put into operation in the first quarter of 2015.
The authorities said the digital discrepancy in the broadcasting of audiovisual programs between the rural and urban areas will be significantly diminished as a result of the switchover to digital television. The TV viewers will have access to at least 42 standard resolution programs. The new technology also enables to provide additional services such as data transport, teletext, radio programs, and interactivity and ensures the constant quality of the image.
