Prasar Bharati's all analog terrestrial TV transmitters to phase out by 2022

Prasar Bharati has already phased out 70% of all analog transmitters by now and the rest are being "sunset" in a phased manner while ensuring that "appropriate measures" are taken for re-deployment of manpower, leaving around 50 of them in strategic locations, said the I&B Ministry. Prasar Bharati will be phasing out the rest of the obsolete analog transmitters by 31st March 2022, the ministry added.

The analog terrestrial TV is an 'obsolete technology' and it is being phased out in both public interest and national interest as it makes valuable spectrum available for new and emerging technologies such as 5G apart from reducing wasteful expenditure on power.

The ministry also said that the roll-out of broadcasting reforms at Doordarshan and All India Radio over the last couple of years, Prasar Bharati has been "swiftly" phasing out obsolete broadcasting technologies "like analog terrestrial TV transmitters" (ATT), paving way for a paradigm shift to emerging technologies and new content opportunities.

According to the media reports, Prasar Bharati has also entered into an MoU with the IIT Kanpur to develop 'Next Gen Broadcast Solution' and a roadmap for digital terrestrial broadcasting consistent with emerging standards such as 5G broadcast to enable new applications such as direct to mobile broadcasting and to create new content opportunities through the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms.

Prasar Bharati also clarified that broadcast reform steps to phase out obsolete analog terrestrial TV transmitters was being misrepresented.