BEAM: Consumers, gov’t to benefit from shift to digital TV

MANILA — A unit of Globe Telecom Inc. on Monday said that the country’s impending shift to digital TV is expected to benefit consumers and government agencies alike.

In a statement, Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media (BEAM) said that digital terrestrial television (DTT) will provide clearer reception and access to more channels can lead to better broadcast service delivery.

To recall, BEAM, which operates free Channel 31, earlier announced that it will be spending P250 million to prepare its facilities for the shift to DTT.

“BEAM has been preparing and investing in our Digital Terrestrial Television network infrastructure precisely for these reasons,” said BEAM president Steve Macion.

He further said that DTT will deliver “crystal clear pictures” and “high quality audio” even at less than ideal signal strengths.

In addition, consumers will also have access to new free and pay TV channels, as well as services such as Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and other interactive features.

On the government side, Macion said that digital TV will allow agencies to make use of an Integrated Emergency Warning Broadcast System (IEWBS).

“This is a method of delivering emergency warning information on the TV screen, something that is sorely needed in a disaster-prone country like the Philippines,” he said.

The BEAM president said that the national government can also take advantage of DTT networks to implement social programs, be it in health or education, more cost-effectively.

He said that additional frequencies can also be made available for delivery of essential government services through DTT.

“DTT will allow broadcasters to launch new and targeted niche channels, to better utilize and monetize their content libraries,” Macion said.

In November last year, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued Memorandum Circular No. 05-11-2013, adopting Japan’s Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) standard for the Philippines’ migration to digital TV.

NTC chief Gamaliel Cordoba announced recently that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for digital TV may be issued within the third quarter of this year to pave the way for the service rollout of TV networks.