The State Administration of Communications (SAC) plans to launch digital air television based on the Concern of Broadcasting, Radio and Television (CBRT) facilities in 10 regional centers of Ukraine in 2010, according to Volodymyr Smolyar, the SAC deputy head.But due to lack of funding, only the minimum coverage will be provided. Unfortunately, there is no practical business plan to attract investments.
According to Mr.V.Smolyar, the State will allocate from the budget only 1,650 million UAH that is suffice only for project development and documentation of a national TV program, not a whole project which costs about 4,3 billion UAH in 2009-2015. The State’s share will be only 8,95 million UAH. The rest has to be attracted from outside.
Mr. V.Smolar also reminded that Ukraine has already launched about 20 digital TV transmitters in Kiev, Zhytomir and Odessa areas. To cover 10 new regions the Concern plans, according to Mr. Smolyar, to allocate at least 12 million UAH. from its own funds to provide at least minimum coverage.
It should be reminded of the idea by the SAC to develop a communications plan for the implementation of digital television using the primary Ukrtelecom network. This plan will definitely reduce the cost of the whole project from 4 billion UAH down to 360-400 million UAH.
