The Communication and Information Minister has asked multiplexing operators (MUX) from private broadcasting institutions to be more proactive in distributing set-top boxes to the poor so that digital TV services can be accessed by everyone.

“We are currently encouraging MUX organizers, being private broadcasters, most of whom are members of ATVSI, to be more active in distributing set-top boxes because, (based on) our monitoring, it still needs to be further encouraged,” Minister Johnny G. Plate said in Depok, West Java, on Friday.

He also urged people who are not listed as free set-top box recipients but are still using tube televisions that do not meet the standard for digital television to install set-top boxes without delay.

He said that the current supply of set-top boxes is sufficient. There are 46 manufacturers who have obtained permission to make them. However, the current issue lies in the distribution of set-top boxes by MUX organizers, he pointed out.

“I once again expect that private broadcasting institutions, organizers of private MUX TVs, who have a duty to do so, will do it more (extensively),” he said.

The government has distributed 1.1 million set-top boxes to the poor, he noted. The earlier the uniform distribution of set-top boxes is achieved, the earlier the analog switch-off can be implemented all over Indonesia, Plate said.

He also highlighted that the analog switch-off has been implemented in 265 districts and cities so far. Thus, there are 249 districts and cities that have yet to carry it out.

“There are 249 districts and cities left. In Java, we expect that all of them will be resolved as of December 20, 2022, that is, an analog switch-off will be imposed in East Java,” he added.

Source: Antara News