Lithuania

[LT] Order on Remuneration of the Acquisition Costs of Set-Top-Boxes Approved

IRIS 2010-3:1/30

Jurgita Iešmantaitė

Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania

On 20 January 2010 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania adopted a Resolution on the Order on the remuneration of expenses caused by the purchase of the equipment necessary to receive digital television. This Order was prepared as part of the implementation process of the programme for the switch-off of analogue television and the promotion of digital television in Lithuania which was adopted by a Government Resolution on 28 September 2008.

With a view to the switch-off of analogue television in Lithuania on 29 October 2012 (see IRIS 2006-1: 17) the Government undertook an initiative to support welfare recipients in purchasing set-top-boxes and in this way to accelerate the introduction of digital terrestrial television in Lithuania.

The coverage of digital television in Lithuania has reached 90% since 2008, however, only 10% of the population has the necessary equipment to view digital television. According to the statistical data approximately 90% of all television sets in Lithuania are not suitable for the reception of digital signals.

In accordance with the Resolution of 20 January 2010 only families and persons with a low income (a monthly income which is less than Litas 525 (EUR 125) per capita) will acquire the right to get the remuneration for the equipment costs (set-top-boxes). The means for remuneration will be allocated from the State budget and people will receive them from the local Municipality administration.

The remuneration process will start 6 months prior to the analogue television switch-off date and will end 3 months after this date. The Ministry of Communications is responsible for the implementation of the Order.