Digitalization is an industrial innovation of the biggest significance in the development of broadcast technology, which, after a few years of experiment, exploration and setback, will enter a stage of full implementation in China.

The remark was made by Zhang Haitao, deputy-director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of China Cable Broadcasting Network (CCBN 2005) exhibition, March 21 in Beijing. He urged broadcast departments at all levels to explore business operation patterns in line with local conditions under the general goal of phasing in digital TV systems in an all-round way.

Preferential policies providing fund and tax-reduction have been made for the promotion of digital TV, Zhang revealed. China Development Bank has signed with SARFT a financial cooperation framework agreement to provide 50 billion yuan loan for digital TV. For digital TV operators in cities at prefectural level sales tax are exempted. As for program making, a unified platform has been established last year for various program makers, and the sector has been opened to foreign investors. Besides, the state also allows moderately higher prices for local cable TV operations conducing digital TV business.

Presently China has 330 million TV users, 110 million cable users, as well as 400 million TV sets.

SARFT plans to complete the transition from simulated TV to digital TV in four stages, in 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2015 respectively. This year, all cable TV stations at provincial level will introduce digital systems and begin sending digital codes nationwide in 2008. According to the plan, digital TV programs will enter 3.7 million Beijing households by 2007.

By People's Daily Online