As part of the commitment to the decision of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to put an end to analog television services in 2015, and move away from analog television to Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) or Digital Terrestrial Television(DTT), the Tunisian Television went digital as of March 15th, 2010.
DTT will offer Tunisians from 8 to 12 channels in digital mode, which it is hoped will incite public and private developers to launch specialized channels of different contents in line with Tunisian guidelines in the sector.
In addition to the transition to DTT, the Tunisian television will soon begin transmitting its programs, broadcasting from 9 base stations and 71 secondary stations covering 90% of the population, from its new headquarters thanks to the latest cutting edge technologies.
From November 1st, 2010, there will be widespread use of DTT in Tunisia to cover the whole country after a first experimental phase, launched in 2001 and providing coverage of the greater Tunis area. In 2009, digital broadcasting already covered 90% of the territory.
Since 2007, the Ministry of Industry and Technology has been increasing the awareness of manufacturers and retailers to prepare themselves technically to turn to digital broadcasting.
Since January 2010 legal texts in force ban the import of televisions non-equipped with a digital tuner for DTT.
© Tunisia Online News 2010
