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Moldova did not meet the initial term for transition to the digital format – June 17, 2015 – established by the international agreement signed in Geneva in 2006.
Deputy Minister of Information Technology and Communications (MITC) Dumitru Parfentiev presented to MPs information about the transition process. According to Parfentiev, in some regions of the country the digital signal is already provided by the “Radiocomunicatii” state company. He also said that so far this format is used to transmit free of charge only the programs of Radio Moldova.
According to the draft law, voted in the first reading, the Broadcasting Coordinating Council (BCC) will have the task to issue new broadcasting licenses for the use of digital terrestrial multiplexes. In this sense, the BCC developed Regulations stipulating conditions to be met in order to obtain the license. BCC Chairman Dinu Ciocan said at a plenary parliament meeting that hearings and debates will be organized concerning these regulations, which will take place with the participation of representatives of broadcasters, civil society and other stakeholders.
MPs tried to find out the price a broadcaster would have to pay for transmission of the digital signal in the digital multiplex, as well as the expenses necessary to create the infrastructure for transmitting and maintaining the signal. Dumitru Parfentiev claimed that the “Radiocomunicatii” company has already created this infrastructure from its own sources, but he did not say exactly how much the infrastructure and the digital signal would cost.
Corina Fusu, member of the Parliamentary Commission for Mass Media, said that the liberal faction she is part of will support this document only when there is more transparency in terms of costs for the construction of multiplexes and other installations and in terms of criteria for selection of broadcasters for them. At the same time, she requested that procedures for establishment of fees and tariffs for signal transmission and other procedures in this field be set by law.
Bogdan Tardea, member of the socialists’ faction, said that this draft law would lead to monopoly on the broadcasting market.
Dumitru Pafrentiev also said that the implementation of the digital terrestrial signal will take place in three stages. The digital system, according to the deputy minister, will be implemented along with the transmission of the analog signal. In his opinion, transition will end in two or three years. At the same time, the MITC together with the Ministry of Labor will identify persons unable to pay for the digital signal receiving devices so as to provide such devices to them from public money.
