Laos, Cambodia forge ahead with China on digital TV cooperation

Laos and Cambodia have vowed to continue cooperation with China in pushing ahead with the transition from analogue television to the Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast (DTMB) system.

Speaking at the International DTV Summit Forum in Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday, Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Savankhone Razmountry said Laos was making every effort to switch from the analogue television system to DTMB by the 2020.

DTMB allows additional services using a new television broadcasting system and is compatible with fixed reception (indoor and outdoor) and mobile digital terrestrial television.

Lao National Television joined China's Yunnan Digital TV Company to establish Lao Digital TV in 2008, and the service has proved popular since its inception.

Savankhone said the ministry is establishing radio and television networks across the country to utilize the DTMB system.

Chairman of National Engineering Laboratory for Digital TV (Beijing) Yang Zhixing said transitioning from an analogue television system to DTMB is important for rural people as they could access a more modern system, while it also helped television business growth.

Yang said China-Laos cooperation in digital TV development had resulted in the installation of DTMB networks in the provinces of Savannakhet, Champassak and Luang Prabang.

In addition, the forum would encourage a closer working relationship among the three countries which was important for expanding regional cooperation on DTMB development, he said.

Royal Government Delegate Consultant to Cambodia's Ministry of Information Kem Gunawadh said the forum allowed Cambodia, China and Laos to cooperate further in the field of broadcasting to connect people, allowing them to share their experiences, local daily Vientiane Times reported Wednesday.

With the 21st century being the new era of information technology and digitalization, the DTMB system was a great advancement in terrestrial broadcasting compared with the past, he said.

Kem believed China DTV technology using the DTMB system would help Laos and Cambodia provide audiences with a comprehensive range of services.

Editor: John Li