Number of free-to-air TV channels to be increased

13:50 | 16.02.2022 Category: Social

Chisinau, 16 Feb. / MOLDPRES /- Number of free-to-air TV channels will be increased. A draft law providing for the completion of the transition from analogue to digital television was approved today by the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Education, Research, Youth, Sport and the Media.

The changes in the legislation aim to increase the number of TV channels that can be received free of charge over the air and to intensify competition in the market for pay-TV services. At the same time, the spectrum needed to implement 5G technologies will be released.

It is also envisaged to delimit the manner of issuing broadcasting licenses and the use of radio frequencies in the case of digital terrestrial television and broadcasting multiplexes from the manner of issuing such licenses in other cases.

A new regulation is the one regarding the possibility of continuing the business by broadcasting in digital format, through regional multiplexes, for the eight TV stations that currently broadcast in analog format.

The new law will also regulate the mechanism of state intervention in case of "market failure" in the process of completing the transition to digital television. At the same time, the mechanism for granting state aid to the national multiplex provider is provided.

Photo: Parliament

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