The Slovak Telecommunications Office (TU) kicked off a joint tender to select an operator for the first and second Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T) multiplexes in Slovakia, when it released an invitation to submit bids and applications on August 20. These must be delivered by November 20, 2008, the SITA newswire wrote.
The office will issue an operating licence for the multiplexes to one operator, who will provide services simultaneously across several frequency bands. The tender winner will have to commence commercial operation within a year of the licence’s entry into force.
A selection commission will assess bids according to a points system covering criteria defined by the office. The most decisive will be the technical solution and speed of network construction for the first and second DVB-T multiplex, as well as signal coverage. Other criteria are the scope of services provided, the price offered for the allocated frequencies and support for the transition from analogue to digital signal transmission. The commission will allocate a smaller number of points based on criteria such as the source of financing to build or rent the network, and the applicant's ability to build and launch the multiplex network within the deadline, or to ensure its construction by a signal distributor.
Digital broadcasting will fully replace the analogue system currently used by 2012 at the latest. TU spokesman Roman Vavro said that DVB-T would enable reception of more programmes, significantly boost the quality of received TV broadcasting in so-called studio quality, allow interactive control by viewers, and allow future provision of mobile TV, internet and e-government services. Viewers who receive analogue broadcasting will have to buy a TV set with a digital tuner or a so-called set-top box after the transition to DVB-T. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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