Serbia’s Telecommunications Minister Jasna Matic has announced plans for a 100 million euro reform plan in the country for a technological shift to digital television broadcasting, in line with EU standards. The process should be wrapped up by 2012. In addition to providing better service to viewers, the change would also help conform with the standards already implemented in neighboring countries and also prevent interferences between the signals of local analogue broadcasters and that of digital broadcasters across the region, Mr Matic added.
It remains to be seen, however, if the government will be able to subsidize all or any of the existing broadcasters in the effort. The 100 million euro estimate does not include costs related to new equipment that millions of viewers will have to obtain for their TV sets in order to receive the digital signals.
Although not an EU member at present, Serbia has sought to adapt to the regulations that are already mandatory in neighbouring Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.
(Source: Balkans.com)
