Low digitalisation delays analogue switch-off for Dominican Republic


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Juan Fernandez Gonzalez

| 13 January 2016




After analysing the Dominican Republic's TV digitalisation situation, the government is delaying the country’s analogue switch-off until August 2021.



The country’s telecom authority, Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones (Indotel), has identified several factors slowing the process, including a general delay in legal and technical adaptation, as well as low investment in almost every broadcaster and network.

The new DTT law, which will use ATSC as the digital TV standard, aims to give more time to the industry in order to achieve a higher level of coordination between private and public sectors, thus guaranteeing a more efficient transition towards the digital broadcasting system.

“It's the State's duty to promote a proper digital implementation that assures both broadcasters and users can have access to the latest developments and services,” said Indotel, explaining the reasons for the delay.

Due to having more time, Indotel now expects the broadcasters to offer more channels and better image and sound quality once the switch-off is completed.