Ministry drafts program for preferential distribution of digital TV decoders
The Azerbaijani Communications and Information Technologies Ministry drafted a program for preferential distribution of digital TV decoders to poor families, ICT Minister Ali Abbasov told journalists on October 21.
He said the distribution of decoders on preferential terms will benefit those receiving state social assistance.
"By late 2014, Azerbaijan's settlements will be fully covered by the digital broadcast signal. The population's readiness is the main issue in the transition to a new broadcast standard. Yet the major part of population have TV sets supporting analogue broadcasts," Abbasov said.
Currently, seven Azerbaijani TV and radio broadcasters - AzTV, Idman (Sports) Azerbaycan, Medeniyyet (Culture), Ictimai (Public TV), ATV İnt., Xezer, and Azad Azərbaycan (Free Azerbaijan) are allocated the resources of the first Azerbaijani telecommunication satellite Azerspace/Africasat-1a, which was launched into space on February 8.
These channels will be available at the 11169.15 MHz, H, S/R-20400 Mb/s frequency from July.
Azerspace will offer many advantages to the local TV and radio companies, as well as acceptable conditions for transmission. Special data compression technology will allow TV and radio companies to reduce usage of the satellite's resources and organize packet transmission of the highest quality. The main factor of quality will be the high level of signal transmission in the satellite's coverage area.