Russian Federation

[RU] Government Adopts Plan for Digital Switch-over

IRIS 2010-4:1/39

Andrei Richter

Comenius University (Bratislava)

On 3 December 2009 Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed an Ordnance of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 985 that approved the Federal Target Programme "Развитие телерадиовещания в Российской Федерации на 2009 - 2015 годы" (Development of TV and radio broadcasting in the Russian Federation in 2009-2015). It is a natural law-making development after the approval on 21 September 2009 of the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation on the Concept of the Federal Target Programme “Development of TV and radio broadcasting in the Russian Federation in 2009-2015”(see IRIS 2009-10: 18/26), and earlier development and approval (in 2007) by the Government of the RF of the Concept for the development of TV and radio broadcasting in 2008-2015 (see IRIS 2008-2: 17/28).

By the Ordinance of 3 December 2009 the Government allocated a maximum of RUB 76,366 million from the federal budget for its implementation out of the total evaluated cost of the programme of RUB 122,445 million (to be adapted to inflation) (currently EUR 1 equals RUB 40). The Government shall spend RUB 4,615 million annually after the completion of the Federal Target Programme (FTP) for the dissemination of the free must-carry programmes.

Among the aims of the FTP its Passport points to the maximum number of the population that shall have no access to television by 2015 - less than a thousand persons (today - 1,6 million persons). Access to 20 free television channels that include 8 must-carry programmes (approved by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 24 June 2009, see: IRIS 2009-10: 18) shall be provided to 100 percent of the population, while penetration of digital terrestrial television (DTT) shall reach 98.8 percent.

The Passport of the FTP points to the activities envisioned to implement the switchover in stages in four zones from the far eastern to the European part of Russia with special focus on regions bordering foreign countries (earlier the Concept of the FTP spoke of five zones). The switch-off will take place when more than 95 percent of the households have set-top boxes, which must be purchased individually at the householders’ own expense (currently they cost about RUB 1000).

The Minister of Communications and Mass Communication is appointed head of the implementation of the FTP and personally responsible for its results and spending of the allocated funds.

The FTP does not discuss issues of digital dividend, principles of licensing, access to free multiplexes of regional or other free television companies, incentives for broadcasters in the switchover process or other essential issues.