Ostankino television tower transmitter started broadcasting channels in digital mode (First, Russia 1, Russia 2, Russia 24, Culture, Bibigon, TRC 5 channel, NTV, Sports 2 HD). Format of broadcasting - DVB-T, MPEG-4 (open). Frequency - 30 channel UHF, 1.5 kW transmissions.
On 2nd March for the first time in the history of the Krasnoyarsk region a test launch of the digital broadcasting transmitter of the standard DVB-T was concluded. Pilot digital broadcasting area in the city of Kansk organized by the Krasnoyarsk branch of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Russia TV and Radio Broadcasting Network". Currently in digital 3 radio and 9 and television programs broadcasted. One of the TV channels is broadcasted in the HD format (high definition television).
The Big Three mobile communication operators – Vympelcom, MTS and Megaphone – proposed to partially cover the cost of transition to digital television in Russia. The interest of cell phone companies in TV digitalization is based on the need to get additional radio frequencies for the launch of the fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. Analogue TV broadcasters use these frequencies at present.
According to the Russian Communication Ministry estimates, “the cost of mass produced set-top box will range from 30 to 50 dollars”, Igor Shchegolev, the Russian Communication Minister, informed journalists. “New TV receivers entering our market, and especially those that will be available in future, are equipped with tuners capable of receiving digital signal”, Igor Shchegolev noted. The minister also said that today many Russian families are able to receive digital TV signal through satellite dishes, cable networks and through the Internet.
Since August 24 the South Urals State Television and Radio Company made a transition to the new format. All its studios and maintenance rooms have been reequipped for it. The TV company was provided with the necessary equipment by the targeted federal investment program which covered 10 more regions. An up-to-date digital broadcasting system cost 1 mln. euro.
Premier Vladimir Putin believes that Russia has a chance to become a major center of global investment. He called upon foreign investors to get involved in Russian infrastructure, automotive industry, telecommunication and digital television.
Russia could make the transition to digital TV broadcasting in 2014. Igor Shchegolev, the Communication Minister, told at the press-conference, noting that the construction of terrestrial relay networks that will provide access to digital services is underway now. The level of digital technology is already “high enough” in a number of regions. The designing of digital infrastructure, in particular, is most active in the Far East, in the Kursk Oblast and in Moscow. At the same time a number of regions had pilot zones of digital TV broadcasting, and everybody “could try what is that”, I. Shchegolev said.
The Altai Republic and its neighbors Tuva and Khakassia will be among the first Russian regions to switch to digital TV and radio broadcasting, says Vladimir Timoshchuk, the head of Gorno-Altaisk radio and TV broadcasting center. A systematic project of switching to digital format is being developed in the republic, and the working project and funding from the Russian budget within the framework of the federal targeted program will start in 2010.
According to Prime-TASS, on March 19, the Russian State Commission of Radio Frequencies approved the national frequency allotment plan for terrestrial broadcasting. The new plan would allow the start of operations of the first multiplex of digital TV channels at the frequency range of 470-862 MHz.
Telecommunications services providers will not get paid for public broadcasting, announced a representative from the RF Ministry of Telecommunications, as stipulated in the Federal Program for the Development of Tele and Radio Broadcasting in Russia till 2015. The draft version of the Program, outlining the roadmap for implementing digital televion and radio nationwide, will be submitted for the government review by the end of the year, as promised on October 28 by the Director of the Ministerial Department on Digital Broadcasting Vitaly Stytsko.
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