On August 23, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. Digital broadcasting will be introduced in Belarus in stages, as reported by the Minister of Information, Oleg Proleskovsky, during an online conference on the website of the Belarusian Telegraph Agency. The transition to digital broadcasting is scheduled to be fully completed by 2015, in accordance with the State Programme for the Implementation of Digital Television and Radio Broadcasting currently underway. "At the same time, the analogue broadcasting shutdown will be carried out in stages to ensure the transition to digital broadcasting is not disruptive for the public," noted Oleg Proleskovsky. The proposal by the Ministry of Communications and Informatization to commence the shutdown of analogue broadcasting in 2012 is primarily due to the fact that broadcasting in DVB-T format for 8 television programmes – Perviy Kanal, Lad, ONT, STV, NTV-Belarus, RTR-Belarus, 8 Kanal, Mir – is already organised across the territory where over 94% of the republic's population resides. "Television programmes in digital format are broadcast in parallel with programmes in analogue format. Significant funds are spent to organise such dual-format broadcasting. This has served as a catalyst for more active measures in this direction," said the Minister of Information. With the introduction of digital broadcasting, new opportunities are opening up for television. "Firstly, this is, of course, an improvement in the quality of image and sound. Secondly, it provides the capability to offer multi-programme television services. For example, commercial terrestrial broadcasting of 21 television programmes in digital format is currently organised in the Minsk region. This is not possible in analogue format. Therefore, it can be confidently stated that Belarus is keeping pace with the times in the implementation of digital television broadcasting," emphasised the minister. The issue of transitioning from analogue to digital television in Belarus is quite pressing. A special set-top box is required to receive the digital signal. However, modern television receivers typically already have a built-in module for receiving digital signals. "Unfortunately, domestic manufacturers of television equipment did not adapt in time and, in our opinion, were late in mastering and producing receiving equipment. The situation is now being rectified," noted Oleg Proleskovsky, adding that manufacturers and retailers are offering the public a wide selection of modern television models and set-top boxes. -0-

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