From October 1, 2020, the analog television signal will cease to function in the provinces of Panama, Panama West and Colon, to switch to the digital signal.
Starts analog power off countdown for open TV signal. On October 1, 2020, the Digital Terrestrial Television open signal enters into force in Phase I in the provinces of Panama, Colon and West Panama, informed the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP).
From August 14, users of the Greater Metropolitan Area who consume television content openly and free of charge will have to modify their equipment to access the digital signal.
With the upcoming change in the country, televisions that are not yet ready to receive the digital signal must purchase a converter compatible with the Japanese Brazilian standard ISDB-Tb.
In El Salvador, the state-owned Canal 10 began broadcasting the open digital signal, and in the next three years it should be implemented by private television stations.
The General Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (Siget) reported that the change from analog and satellite transmissions to a digital signal is progressing successfully, as several private providers have conducted successful transmission tests.
In Panama, improvements to the national terrestrial television network are being tendered, which includes the fulfillment of Phase III and IV of DTT at the national level.
Panama Government Purchase 2018-1-31-0-99-LP-007712:
"Supply, integration, installation, training, transportation to site, commissioning, and technical support of three (3) digital TV transmission systems consisting of:
In 2017, television imports from China totaled $120 million, equivalent to an increase of 8% compared to figures from 2016.
Information from the interactive system "Television Market in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
In the first nine months of 2017, Central American countries imported $282 million worth of televisions, 8% more than was bought during the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the the Televisions Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
The Siget has announced that it already has a first draft of the analog-to-digital television transition plan, which is in consultation with private sector companies.
Regarding the consultations that are taking place with telecommunications companies, Blanca Soto, head of the Siget, explained to Elmundo.sv that "... They have already had two rounds of talks with private, public, religious and community broadcasting organisations.
Between January and September 2016, the countries in the region imported $262 million worth of TVs, which is an increase of 14% compared to the same period in 2015.
Figures from the information system on theTV market in Central America by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData:
Explore data in interactive graphs.[GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graphics"]
Although a date for the changeover has not yet been set, the Telecommunications Authority has presented a preliminary project to define the transition to digital TV.
Harold Cancinos, operations manager at the SIT, told Elperiodico.com.gt that"... The agreement seeks to provide a legal scaffolding for moving frequencies. The mode of granting frequencies, according to law, must be done through leases.But as Cancinos recognizes, this concept 'is objectively holding us back in terms of implementation of the project'."
In late January the government will announce the technical standard that the country will adopt and how the transition from analog technology will be managed.
Although it had been announced that by 2018 the transition to digital technology would be finished, it failed to start because so many obstacles were faced, from bureaucratic obstacles to a constitutional law suit.
In the concession model proposed by the government, one operator can be the virtual operator of a logical channel, management-multiplex concessionaire and / or network administrator at the same time.
The Vice Ministry of Telecommunications has presented its proposal for a reference model for the transition to digital television, in which it details the concession model and partnership opportunities between concessionaires, details of the use of the radio spectrum, aspects related to digital solidarity, deployment of DTT and the expected results of this technological change under the ISDB-Tb standard.
With the 11 licenses granted by the State concessionaires who currently broadcast in analog and interested parties begins the testing phase prior to the planned transition in 2017.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of Costa Rica:
San Jose, Tuesday September 29, 2015. The Government of the Republic of Costa Rica, granted 11 experimental permits, supported by the respective legal framework for official broadcasts of terrestrial digital open and free television, as an initial step towards expanding coverage throughout the country.
It is expected that by 2018 the transition to digital TV will be complete, but the Salvadoran government has not yet established when or how it will be done.
The transition process is currently suspended because the Supreme Court has not resolved a law suit on unconstitutionality, because of this the General Superintendency of Electricity and Telecommunications (Siget) and the Salvadoran government have still not defined which system they will choose and how it will be implemented.
An extension until to March 2015 has been made for the deadline for broadcast TV licensees begin operations in digital format in the provinces of Cocle, Herreras, Los Santos and Veraguas.
From a resolution issued by the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP)
RESOLVED:
".... FIRST: AUTHORIZE an additional period of six (6) months, until March 15, 2015, for concessionaires of the Television Broadcasting Service to install equipment and begin operations in digital TV format in the provinces of Cocle, Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas, corresponding to Phase II. "
Costa Rica has initiated meetings to address the change to digital television looking to the Spanish company Ingenia-Telecom as neutral mediator between the government and operators.
In a forum held by the National Chamber of Radio and Television, companies operating open channels emphasized the lack of a public policy to order the transition to digital television.