SAN JOSE, Jan. 31 (EFE). – Costa Rica this Tuesday completed the transition to open and free digital television throughout its territory, using the Brazilian-Japanese standard (ISDB-Tb), the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Communications (MICITT) reports.
The final analog TV blackout will happen at 11:59 p.m. this Tuesday, when, according to MICITT, Costa Rica will become the first country in Latin America to complete the transition to digital television throughout its territory using ISDB-Tb.
“The discontinuation of analog television broadcasting within the framework of the adoption of the Brazilian-Japanese standard for digital television, implies a clear example of how the state policies of Costa Rica, which are implemented in all the different government departments, are implemented,” said the President. From MICITT, Carlos Alvarado, in Official Code.
In 2010, Costa Rica chose the Brazilian-Japanese format (ISDB-Tb) for digital television, emphasizing that it is the format that best suits the conditions of the country from the point of view of signal quality and strength, as well as coverage.
Since then, the country has been implementing an analog obfuscation roadmap that has suffered several delays due to technical and legal factors.
Digital TV has been operated by regions and the government has implemented initiatives to eliminate taxes on the import and purchase of digital TV antennas and converters, as well as providing these devices free of charge to low-income families, in order to promote transmission.
A converter is a device that receives a digital signal and converts it into a signal that can be displayed on any TV or monitor that does not have the Japanese-Brazilian standard.
Digital TV refers to a modern method of broadcasting, in which the picture is clearer, with better sound, and which allows more programs to be presented on the same channel and other associated services.
“I am pleased to know that the knowledge imparted by Japan and the human talents of Costa Ricans have generated results with positive and long-term effects for Costa Rica. The technological advances and opportunities arising from the transition to digital television are my wish and I wish the Japanese people to be one of Prosperity and benefit to the people of Costa Rica.
The President of the National Chamber of Radio and Television (CANARTEL), Saray Amador, stressed that the transition is a “historic milestone” that was made possible thanks to a public-private alliance with MICITT.
“We have successfully completed the digitization of free and free television across the country. This historical fact shows that the state and private companies can achieve positive things for citizens,” said Amador.
Official data shows that 95.9% of homes in Costa Rica have television, on average there are two in every home, and in 2019 30% of people used open analog television. EFE
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