TOWERCOM is the winner of Slovakia’s digital broadcasting tender and will be the operator of the first two multiplexes as well as the operator of the public service digital terrestrial broadcasting multiplex (DVB-T). The Slovak Telecommunications Office reported Towercom as the winner on August 14, after receiving a report from the selection commission on the course and result of the tender, the SITA newswire wrote.
Digital broadcasting will fully replace the current analogue system no later than 2012. DVB-T is expected to encourage establishment of new TV broadcasters, higher competition in the media market and more pressure for better TV programming. DVB-T will enable reception of more programmes, significantly boost the quality of received TV broadcasting to so-called studio-quality, give viewers interactive control as well as permit the prospective provision of mobile TV and internet and services of electronic public administration. Viewers who receive analogue broadcasting must buy a television with a digital tuner or a purchase a so-called set-top box after the transition to DVB-T.
Towercom is planning commercial launch of the terrestrial multiplex with high coverage beginning in 2010.
“Our priority interest will be to bring each household in Slovakia high quality digital television broadcasting. We will make use of our experience in this area, as well as the technical possibilities and existing infrastructure at our disposal,” said the chairman of Towercom’s board of directors, Roman Fischer, as quoted by SITA.
