Meridian to produce first batch of digital TV receivers in late February

16:59

Korolyov OJSC Meridian will produce its first batch of digital TV signal decoders in late February, Meridian Board Chairman Viacheslav Protsenko told journalists after a briefing dedicated to the launch of digital television broadcasting.

The batch will consist of about 2,000 devices, each costing UAH 500.

"The government has set the task of decreasing their cost to $40. I think if we produce a lot of devices, it will be possible," he said.

First Vice Premier Oleksandr Turchynov, speaking at the briefing, said that the current production volume is insufficient for a demand, which is expected to grow every year.

Mykola Honchar, the head of the State Communications Administration, did not say where funds to provide low-income segments of the population with the devices would be found.

"This issue is being discussed. Broadcasters are likely to be involved in this," he said.

According to Ihor Kurus, a member of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council, the state should undertake providing the population with TV receivers.

"We said that the purchase of set-top boxes should be financed from the budget. Otherwise nobody will watch digital TV that means that broadcasters will not pay for signal broadcasting. The Broadcasting, Radio Communications and Television Concern will see losses," he said.