Question : DIGITAL TELECAST



(a) whether Doordarshan is planning to beam digital telecast, country-wise;

(b) if so, the benefits likely to be derived therefrom; and

(c) the time by which digital telecast is likely to be introduced?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SMT. SUSHMA SWARAJ)


(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 640 REGARDING DIGITAL TELECAST FOR ANSWER ON 9.5.2002.


(a) to (c): Five (5) Doordarshan channels are presently being uplinked in digital mode and these signals are available through satellite in the entire country. Prasar Bharati has no scheme to start Digital telecast throughout the country in terrestrial mode. However, Doordarshan is setting up digital terrestrial transmitters at Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai for starting experimental service. The main advantages of Digital Terrestrial Transmission, as compared to analogue transmission, lie in its superior quality of audio & video signals; multi-channel operation; mobile reception and less transmission power requirement. The transmitter at Delhi has been installed and is presently under testing. Transmitters at Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai are expected to be installed during 2002.