In 2018, stepwise implementation of digital TV/radio on-air broadcasting will start in Kazakhstan

In late 2018, digital TV/radio on-air broadcasting will be implemented gradually in several regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. As part of the first stage, the activities on full migration to digital broadcasting are to be performed in Mangistau region (October), Zhambyl and South Kazakhstan regions (December 2018).

In the remaining regions, such implementation is to be accomplished in a stepwise manner before late 2020. The process will be accompanied by simultaneously pulling down the analogous broadcasting, which, according to the plan, would be finished by mid-2021.

The digital on-air broadcasting implementation and development project was included in the action plan for implementation of national “Digital Kazakhstan” program.

In accordance with the project, 827 radio/TV stations (RTS) were to be built or modernized. The construction has been in progress since 2012, with 356 RTSs built to date. Before the year-end, the other 292 RTSs will be constructed, which would allow reaching 94% digital broadcasting coverage. The remaining 179 RTSs are to be put into operation within 2019-2020.

Digital on-air broadcasting provides the opportunity of watching 30 domestic TV channels in regional centers and in Astana and Almaty cities with digital quality and with no subscriber fee, as well as up to 15 channels in rural localities.

So, implementing digital on-air broadcasting will enable bridging digital divide between urban and rural population, and also provide the breakthrough opportunities for developing the Republic of Kazakhstan’s media landscape.