Prasar Bharati increased DTT investment in 29 states

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has incurred an expenditure of Rs 114.4 crore till November 2017 for setting up digital terrestrial transmitters (DTT) in 29 states, Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has informed the Indian parliament.

He also said that the government has approved setting up of DTTs under 11th and 12th Plan at 63 locations in the country. As part of phase wise closure of analogue transmitters, Prasar Bharati has closed down 21 analogue transmitters/transposers closed during last three years in 10 states.

On the rehabilitation and accommodation of the surplus staff due to the closure of terrestrial transmission stations, Minister Rathore said Prasar Bharati has plans for redeployment of surplus staff with AIR and DD as per requirement.

Integrated Digital TV sets (iDTV) with a built-in digital tuner are available in the market. For existing TV sets, there is a requirement of Set Top Box (STB) to receive DTT service.

DTT service can also be received on a mobile/portable device using an external dongle and suitable apps. The average cost of a set top box with antenna/dongle is, in the range of Rs. 1,500/- to Rs 3,000/- presently.

Doordarshan has 230 High Power Transmitters (HPTs) (211 analogue and 19 digital) and 801 analogue Low Power Transmitters (LPTs) in its terrestrial TV network. As part of sanctioned 12th Plan schemes, 45 Digital Terrestrial Transmitters (DTT), at existing transmitter locations are also approved in various parts of the country. The DTT pilot has been launched in 16 cities and remaining 44 DTTs have been planned after reviewing of the technology.