Serbia to get digital TV signal "by mid-2015"

Serbia to get digital TV signal "by mid-2015"

BELGRADE -- Rasim Ljajić has said digital television signal will be introduced by mid 2015, enabling the state to sell the free part of the frequency spectrum.

The digitization process has been brought to its final stage and Serbia will be able to introduce a fully digitalized television signal within the planned deadline, which is June 2015, the trade and telecommunications minister said, and added that the free part of the frequency spectrum would be offered to mobile operators.

The legal basis for the conclusion of digitization was ensured by the recent adoption of the set of media laws and according to some assessments, the sale of this part of the frequency spectrum for introduction of the fourth generation of mobile telephony should bring at least EUR 100 million to the Serbian budget, said Ljajić who also holds office as the minister of trade, tourism and telecommunications.

Summing up the results achieved in the first 100 days of the Ministry's work in an interview for International Radio Serbia, Ljajić first pointed to the progress made in the digitization process and the drafting of four laws, three of which have already been adopted in the Serbian parliament.

These include the key law, the Law on Consumer Protection, which has been adjusted with organizations in charge of consumer protection and won the best marks by the European Commission, Ljajić said.