Czech regulator evaluates DVB-T transition

Czech regulator CTU evaluated the progress of the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting (DVB-T), as scheduled by the plan adopted by the government. The sixth report as of 15 March concludes that the transition progress is in line with the schedule. The first multiplex is completed and the current issue is sufficient coverage of the digital signal in localities where a quality reception from high performance transmitters is not possible. CTU in cooperation with operators of transmission networks has adopted measures to minimise the negative impact of potential changes of channels on viewers. The coverage of the digital signal has reached almost 100 percent of the population, while the second multiplex is at more than 89 percent and the third multiplex 85 percent. The fourth multiplex provides coverage for 25 percent of population (Prague, Pilsen, Brno and Ostrava). Only the first and second multiplexes bring programmes from analogue broadcasting, while the third and fourth multiplex are used for broadcasting of new channels.