Kabu, Aug 21, 2013
Afghanistan’s television programs would be converted to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTV), giving viewers access to quality sound and videos, Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister, said on Wednesday.
The capacity of the new digital system would be 15 times higher than the current analogue system, ensuring access to TV programs in all parts of the country, the minister of telecommunication and information technology said.
Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister, Amirzai Sangin told reporters in a press conference in Kabul, that a contract on the DTTV project was signed between the Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) and the Asia Consultancy Group (ACG).
After awarding the contract to ACG, Sangin said establishment of the network was an important step toward improvement and providing better services in all parts of the country.
In the first six months, the network would cover Kabul before expanding 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade provinces and then reaching the rest of the country, the minister added.
Most TV channels are currently active only in Kabul and could not expand their services to other provinces due to economic problems, because there is a need for at least a $1billion investment to activate countrywide broadcasts.
But with the digital project implementation, the services could be delivered more economically. Instead of spending money on the establishment of stations in different parts of the country, TV channels could spend their money on the quality of their broadcasts, he added.
ATRA deputy head Khair Mohammad Faizi said work on the project would be launched soon. Currently, there are nearly 60 TV channels and hundreds of radio stations in Kabul and other provinces. Thirty-five of the TV channels are on air in Kabul.PAN