The digital television transition or the analog shutdown that was to end on January 1, 2022 was put off. The MPs gave a fist reading to a bill that sets a new time limit – May 1, 2022, IPN reports.

Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, said in Parliament that the goal of the proposed changes is to increase the number of TV channels that can be received free through ether and to encourage competition on the pay TV services market. Also, the range of frequencies needed for implementing 5G technologies will be freed.

“The bill stipulates the mechanism for supporting the provider of multiplex A with national coverage and the digital television transition deadline,” stated the minister.

“Currently, multiplex A enables up to 18 TV channels to enter. We subsidize over 50% and the cost of entering the multiplex will be reduced to €3,000 from €6,500. The objective is to ensure free entrance into the multiplex in 2023 by subsidizing multiplex A with state budget funds.”

Under a new regulation, the eight TV channels that now broadcast in an analog format will be able to continue to work by broadcasting in a digital format, through regional multiplexes.

The bill was adopted by the votes of 56 PAS MPs and is to be given a final reading. The analog shutdown has been postponed since 2015.