Digital television for 98.1% of Belarusians in 2014

Plans have been made to enable digital television services for 98.1% of Belarus’ population in 2014, BelTA learned from First Deputy Information Technologies and Communications Minister of Belarus Dmitry Shedko.

According to the source, work to enable access to the first tier of digital aerial and terrestrial television is nearly over. Now as many as 97.41% of the country’s population can enjoy digital television. “Coverage will exceed 98% this year. By 17 June 2015 every Belarusian will be able to receive digital television broadcasts,” said the First Deputy Information Technologies and Communications Minister.

In line with the schedule in 2013 the program for phasing out analog broadcasting began. Dmitry Shedko said that cooperation with municipal authorities, the Information Ministry and other agencies concerned had been productive. People did not have problems when the analog signal was phased in their areas. People did not complain because everyone had bought the necessary equipment in advance, said the official.

This year 12 automated radio and television broadcasting stations will be built and television transmitters will be shut down at 21 radio and television broadcasting stations.

Dmitry Shedko noted that people will be notified in advance about when analog television signal is phased out in their area.

In order to enjoy the publicly available digital television package, Belarusians are advanced to get either a TV set compatible with the DVB-T standard and capable of decoding MPEG4 or a digital television set-top box with the same kind of compatibility.

The First Deputy Information Technologies and Communications Minister remarked that when at a loss, Belarusians can also phone the hotline 172. Calls using wired telephony are free.