Analog TV signs off in Singapore in 2017
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Analog television broadcasts in Singapore will stop by the end of 2017, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information.
Public broadcaster Mediacorp converted all seven of its free-to-air (FTA) TV channels to the digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) format in December 2013, but continues to broadcast in analog. This will end next year.
Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said that the freed-up spectrum will provide more capacity for mobile broadband and better support Singpaore’s Smart Nation development.
Analog broadcasting in Singapore could be turned off before 2020. Viewers who want to continue watching FTA television channels after digital migration will need to buy either a new TV set with a built-in digital tuner or connect a digital set-top box (STB) and an indoor antenna to their existing TV sets.
A label issued by the Media Development Authority (MDA) indicates whether the TV set or STB is compliant with Singapore’s digital format.
The MDA also offers free digital STBs to low-income households, and says it has installed digital TV receivers to almost half of the 77,000 homes that automatically qualified for assistance.
Questions & Answers
Q.When will all analog television broadcasts in Singapore cease?
When will all analog television broadcasts in Singapore cease?
Analog television broadcasts in Singapore are set to stop by the end of 2017, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information. This follows Mediacorp converting its free-to-air channels to digital in December 2013.
Q.What is the benefit of stopping analog broadcasts?
What is the benefit of stopping analog broadcasts?
The freed-up spectrum from ending analog broadcasts will provide more capacity for mobile broadband services. This is expected to better support Singapore's Smart Nation development, as stated by Minister Yaacob Ibrahim.
Q.What do viewers need to do to continue watching free-to-air channels after the digital migration?
What do viewers need to do to continue watching free-to-air channels after the digital migration?
Viewers must buy either a new TV with a built-in digital tuner or connect a digital set-top box and an indoor antenna to their current TV. A label from the MDA indicates compliant equipment.
Q.How is assistance being provided to households for the digital TV transition?
How is assistance being provided to households for the digital TV transition?
The Media Development Authority (MDA) provides free digital set-top boxes to low-income households. They have installed digital TV receivers in nearly half of the 77,000 homes eligible for automatic assistance.