November 12, 2009 - 15:25 AMT
Concept of transition to digital television and radio elaborated in Armenia
The government of Armenia approved the concept of transition to digital television and radio at November 12 meeting. The minister of economy Nerses Yeritsyan reported that within a month the concept will be presented for public debate, until late 2009 the ministry will prepare a its implementation plan and develop a package of legislative changes to start implementation from the early 2010, which will be completed by 2015.
In this regard, the minister noted that transition to digital broadcasting is timely and will lay the basis of information society in the country.
According to Nerses Yeritsyan, this project will be funded through public-private participation, and according to preliminary estimates investment can reach USD 200 million.
A social package, including installment of an appropriate device, will be provided to socially vulnerable population. According to official figures about 99 per cent of TVs purchased over the past five or six years are adapted to digital broadcasting.