The Executive Branch has ordered an extension to the deadline for the country’s conversion from the current analogue system to digital TV to 2021. The decision was announced in Decree 294-15 that modifies Decree 407-10 that originally ordered the implementation. According to local experts, the country is not ready for the digital TV era. In Decree 407-10 experts originally advised the country to install the standards ordered by the United States Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC). The Decree had given the players five years to make the switch to digital. The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) is responsible for managing the process.
Engineer Hiddekel Morrison says that the problem is that the television stations are in crisis as more people are watching TV on their electronic devices. The companies therefore cannot afford the hefty investments needed for digital TV. On the other hand, he says moving to digital TV could be their opportunity for survival.
Gobierno Dominicano pospone implementación de televisión digital hasta 2021