Initiation of engineering consultancy services for the technical implementation of the Sri Lankan Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) project, which will convert the country’s 46-year-old analog terrestrial broadcasting system to a single digital terrestrial broadcasting platform began on Monday (9).
The event was held at the auditorium of the Health and Mass Media Ministry under the patronage of Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
The Health and Mass Media Minister said that the commencement of DTTB programme technology operations, which is a long-awaited and transformative initiative for the growth of Sri Lanka’s broadcasting sector as well as digital economy initiatives, is also a milestone in reaffirming the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka.
The Minister also said the DTTB project was delayed for over ten years due to various reasons, but the Government has taken steps to expedite and permanently implement the project and that this will augur well for not only technical innovation expansion but will also be a national priority in terms of expanding the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
The launch of this DTTB project marks a significant milestone in the television broadcasting sector in Sri Lanka and the professionals, including Japanese engineering consultants, who came to Sri Lanka to launch the DTTB project were welcomed.
The project also includes a state-of-the-art 4K digital studio complex for the Sri Lanka Television Corporation.
With the implementation of this project, the more than 46-year-old analog broadcasting system will migrate to a digital broadcasting platform, providing every Sri Lankan television viewer with a high-definition (HD) viewing experience.
It allows for a large capacity upgrade for additional television channels within the same spectrum through the high spectral efficiency of the digital system, thus providing a high-quality digital viewing experience for viewers and hassle-free technical operations for broadcasters.
In addition, another major advantage is that the spectrum, mainly the 700MHz band, can be used to promote 5G technology in Sri Lanka and thereby expand telecommunications services, including improving broadband internet facilities in rural areas.
DTTB Project Director, Eng. Prasanga Rajapaksa gave an overview of the DTTB Project and its strategic importance to the broadcasting sector in Sri Lanka.
