Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers approves digital broadcasting program

The Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers has approved the 'Program of the
application and development of digital broadcasting DVB-T on the
territory of Azerbaijan', Trend reports. The Ministry for
Communications and Information Technologies of Azerbaijan will
coordinate the implementation of the program.

Currently in Azerbaijan there are about 30 governmental, public,
private and foreign broadcasters.

The aim of the new program is to create the necessary conditions for
the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.

The transition to digital broadcasting will be implemented in two
phases. The first phase will take place from 2011-2012 and will
provide at least one open package (8-12 channels) of broadcasting in
Baku, Ganja, Nakhchivan and the border areas of the country.

The second phase will take place in 2013, and is expected to result in
the installation of digital transmitters aimed at broadcasting two,
three or more packages (each package of 8-12 channels).