Hungary

[HU] Decision on Digital Terrestrial Television

IRIS 2005-5:1/16

Márk Lengyel

Körmendy-Ékes & Lengyel Consulting, Budapest

On 10 March 2005 a decision of the Government on the introduction of digital terrestrial television in Hungary was published in the official journal. The decision, which was made after nearly one year of preparation, defines the tasks of the ministries concerned - primarily of the Ministry of Informatics and Telecommunications. The ministries have to prepare the necessary amendments of the acts concerned in order to eliminate the legal obstacles for launching digital terrestrial television services. A committee for the coordination of the process of digitisation and for assessing its social impact has to be established. Furthermore they have to prepare a report for the Government on the social and economic impact of digitisation and on the necessity for further regulatory measures to be taken in this respect. These tasks shall be accomplished by the end of 2005 at the latest.

The decision is complemented with an appendix outlining the strategic goals of the audiovisual policy pursued by the Government in the course of the digitisation.

As expressed in this appendix the Government foresees the launch of three multiplexes in 2007. The final extent of their areas of reception is planned to be reached in a gradual manner. Concerning the composition of television programmes provided by these multiplexes the document emphasises the need for new digitally available free-to-air channels. The appendix also declares that in the multiplexes proper capacity shall be granted for digital interactive services as well.

According to the document the analogue switch-off for the public service television programme services may take place when the digital transmission of these programmes will cover at least 97% of the population of the country and at least 98% of the population will be equipped with proper digital receivers. The appendix defines 31 December 2012 as the latest possible date for the overall end of the simulcast period.