The Philippine television is going digital. In a couple of years, Filipino viewers can finally say goodbye to analog and enjoy better picture quality and more channels.
Sometime this month, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will be distributing a draft memorandum to muster a technical working group responsible for outlining the necessary rules and regulations for the Japanese standard, also known as the Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T).
The switch to Japan’s digital TV standard met no opposition from major Philippine networks, comprised of ABS-CBN, GMA, and TV5. Though GMA Network in the past showed interest for the European digital broadcast, it no longer pushed for such preference during a recent public meeting held by NTC.
Besides better picture quality, one of the ISDB-T’s perks is its ability to air emergency broadcasts as what had transpired during the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Come 2015, the Philippines will join Japan, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, and other countries which are using ISDB-T.