Govt. moves to promote digital technology; signs Rs. 17.4 b deal with Japan

Wednesday, 24 September 2014 00:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government has taken initiatives that will lead to the digitalisation of terrestrial television broadcasting system in order to improve the information accessibility of people by promoting the effective use of frequency resources. Japan’s (ISDB-T) technology will be utilised for the transition from an analogue broadcasting system to digitalization. The move is also aimed at promoting the use of digital technology by every sector.

This project will also offer enhanced services to the public such as better picture and sound quality and a wide choice of channels and programs for users while reducing the operating and the transmission costs of television broadcasting as well as upgrading the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation. ISDB-T system will develop communication infrastructure by enhancing accessibility to a variety of information including emergency warning broadcasting, road traffic information, weather reports, educational and medical information as well as news and sports by being the only digital broadcasting standard that supports reception from mobile phones or mobile devices. For this purpose, the Government has decided to obtain assistance from the Government of Japan which is renowned for its digital technology and is a major development partner of Sri Lanka. As a result of bilateral discussions with Japan, it has agreed to provide a loan of Yen 13,717 million (approximately Rs. 17,396 million) through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for digitalisation of terrestrial television broadcasting. The signing of the loan agreement took place yesterday at the Ministry of Finance and Planning. The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Finance and Planning Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and JICA Sri Lanka Office Representative Kiyoshi Amada.