Rustam Minnikhanov: Terrestrial digital television should be a competitor to cable

The presence of cable television should not deprive the citizens of the Republic of Tatarstan of possibility to receive the terrestrial digital signal. It was announced on February 14 by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov during the meeting with Andrei Romanchenko, Director General of the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network (RTRS). The meeting was held in the House of Parliament of the Republic of Tatarstan; the session was also attended by Ildar Khalikov, Prime Minister, Nikolai Nikiforov, Deputy Prime-Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, Minister of Communications and Informatization of RT, heads of the departments, as well as the Republican television and radio broadcasting companies.

Andrei Romanchenko told Rustam Minnikhanov about the implementation of Federal Target Program "Development of Broadcasting in the Russian Federation for the period 2009-2015". According to him, at the first stage of the Federal Target Program realization, it was planned to install 924 digital television transmitters in 12 Russian regions.

In turn, RT President Rustam Minnikhanov asssured Andrei Romanchenko that the Republican authorities will render maximum support in implementing the Federal Target Program and all necessary documents, land allocation will be prepared in advance. "We will do everything necessary on its part!" - Head of the Republic promised.

The President of the Republic of Tatarstan instructed Nikolai Nikiforov, Minister of Communications and Informatization of RT, and Marat Muratov, leader of the Republican Agency for Press and Mass Communications, to develop methods for restoring collective antennas in apartment buildings of Kazan and other cities of the Republic.

Andrei Romanchenko noted the success of the Republic of Tatarstan in the development of the project “Electronic Government of the Republic of Tatarstan”. He expressed interest in studying the experience of the Republic in this matter.