26. 03. 2013

DIGITAL VOJVODINA AS OF 2014

Belgrade, March 26, 2013 (Blic) - Digitalization of TV signal in Serbia will start in September 2014, first in Vojvodina. Complete digitalization process must be concluded by 2015, when all neighboring countries from the region will be already digital.

Trade and Telecommunications Minister Rasim Ljajic said however Serbia was late in the digitalization process.

From the surrounding countries, Bulgaria and Macedonia will get the digital signal this year, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina next year, and Romania and Montenegro in 2015. Croatia has already concluded its switchover process. Head of EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert recommended that frequency of TV Avala, which had been shut down, be used for testing the digital signal in Serbia.

Complete digital process will cost around 50 million Euros and will be implemented in phases in 13 zones.

The RBA has urged the Government of Serbia to reduce the fees for broadcasters in 20 percent, so that their position be alleviated, said the Deputy Chairman of the RBA Council Goran Karadzic. Broadcasters are facing the expiry of their broadcasting licenses in 2014, which could be extended. New licenses will also be issued next year, with the validity period of 10 years.