05. 02. 2011

TV digitalisation in Serbia begins

Belgrade, February 5, 2011 (Serbian Government) - Minister of Telecommunications and Information Society Jasna Matic and Head of the European Commission delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert announced today the beginning of the construction of a network for broadcasting digital TV signal in Serbia.Speaking at a conference held on this occasion at the Avala Tower, Matic presented her Ministry's results achieved so far in the process of shifting from the analogue to the digital TV signal.

She recalled that the Ministry applied with the EU for funds, and received €10.5 million in non-refundable assistance as support for this project.

Apart from funds for the procurement and construction of the digital signal broadcasting network, the European Commission sent a team of experts from the BBC to help Serbia make an efficient shift to digital television broadcasting.

In 2006 in Geneva Serbia signed a GE06 Agreement, thus making a commitment to transfer to digital television broadcasting by 17 June 2015 at the latest.

All European countries are required to do this, and the EU recommended its members to complete the shift by 2012.

Serbia established 4 April 2012 as the date for shutting down the analogue signal and transferring to digital broadcasting.

The Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society, being the relevant in this remit, is implementing the strategy for shifting from the analogue to the digital signal for broadcasting radio and television programmes.

This document provides the essential guidelines for introducing digital television with the aim of developing digital electronic communication, which is defined as a primary national interest.