Rustam Minnikhanov launches on-air digital TV broadcasting in Kazan

On-air digital TV broadcasting of new DVB-T2 standard has been launched today in Kazan.

A solemn ceremony was attended by the Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Vice RF minister of communications Aleksei Malinin, deputy RT Prime Minister - Minister of informatization and communications Nikolai Nikiforov, deputy Director-general of the Russian television and radio broadcasting network Viktor Pinchuk, and Director of the Russian television and radio broadcasting network branch “Republican radio and television transmitting center” Vladimir Yakimov.

To the point, last year in December Tatarstan became the first Russian region launching pilot broadcasting of DVB-T2 standard. Besides digital television the new standard provides access to a variety of other services, Rustam Minnikhanov noted.

“An important event, launch of the most advanced digital broadcasting technology has happened today in this television center. For now 40 % of Tatarstan population uses digital television. By the end of year the number is expected to reach 70 %, by 2015 – 100 %. It is a great stride forward as we approach Universiade 2013. Moreover, it will help solving problems faced by emergency services. In particular, pilot warning stations for population will be arranged to be used in emergency situations,” RT President said.

On-air TV broadcasting network will be equipped with the targeted control system enabling subscribers to receive information about state services, various notifications, send electronic messages, and fulfill electronic payments.

Regular digital TV broadcasting is meant to be started in Kazan in the second quarter this year. Six more stations in Nizhnekamsk, Naberezhnye Chelny, Leninogorsk, Shemordan, Bilyarsk and Chistopol are planned to be constructed by the end of year.

Finally, Rustam Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan has again become an innovative region to launch television of new standard.