ABS-CBN'S PREFERRED DTV STANDARD APPROVED BY NTC!

MANILA, Philippines - The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is set to issue a circular, which will formalize the country's shift to Japanese digital TV standard, next month.



NTC deputy commissioner Edgardo Cabarios said the memorandum circular for "Standard for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Broadcast Service" will likely be out next month. The circular would pave the way for the creation of a technical working group, which will come up with the implementing rules and regulations in December.

This after the NTC met with major players in the broadcast industry, including ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network, on Tuesday.

Cabarios said the major players in the industry did not oppose the adoption of Japan's Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting - Terrestrial standard.

"Nobody opposed the proposal to adopt the Japanese or ISDB-T standard. The industry was well represented as the room was full,” he added.

The NTC official said some propnents clarified some provisions in the proposed memorandum circular. "They wanted to clarify some definition in the circular. We have to study their comments as any change in the definition might restrict or expand the meaning,” he said.

Earlier this month, President Aquino said he is backing the adoption of the Japanese digital TV standard to replace the analog system in the country.

Aquino said government studies show the Japanese standard was superior to the others. "Ang pinaka-clincher, yung emergency broadcast capability," he said. "I was told it was used during the Fukushima incident."

The President is scheduled to go on a state visit to Japan in December, where he is expected to give the formal approval for the shift to the Japanese standard.

The Philippine government is targeting to replace its analog system with digital broadcast technology by 2015. It has studied both Japan's Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting - Terrestrial, and Europe's Digital Video

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