13-03-2011

Slovak TV Goes Digital

By Dominika Uhríková

    BRATISLAVA: Slovakia's transition from analogue television broadcasting to digital technology was launched on 8 March 2011. The last analogue transmitter is expected to be switched off by the end of 2012, but in most areas the analogue signal will be terminated in the first half of 2011.

    The licence to operate all three existing digital multiplexes, including the multiplex for public TV and radio channels, was awarded to Towercom transmission company (www.towercom.sk). The Telecommunications Office (www.teleoff.gov.sk) is planning to set up another two or three multiplexes in the near future.

    Slovakia is among the countries where low income families are challenged by the cost of purchasing cable subscriptions or converter boxes for digital reception. The purchase of converter boxes for digital reception by those families is to be subsidised by the European Commission. According to the Ministry of Transport (www.telecom.gov.sk), around 50,000 families will be eligible for the one-off €20 subsidy, however, the assistance will become available only after Slovakia receives funding from the EU.