The government continues to intensively socialize the public so that they immediately switch from analog television to digital television. As of April 30, 2022, analog television broadcasts will gradually no longer be accessible. The community needs a Set-Top Box (STP) device so that they can enjoy digital television broadcasts.
Fortunately, this Analog Switch-Off (ASO) won’t happen all at once. In the first phase, starting April 30, 2022, ASO will be held in 56 regions on the islands of Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. Then, the second stage starts on August 25, 2022, then the last stage on November 2, 2022.
To support this analog to digital TV transition program, the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) has started distributing donations of 3.2 million free STB units for the poor in 56 areas in 166 districts/cities. The distribution is carried out from March 15 until the end of phase one of ASO on April 30.
There are three requirements to get a free STB, including poor people who are recorded in the Social Welfare Integrated Data (DTKS) belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Indonesian citizens who already have an electronic ID card, and their location of residence include the ASO program.
Minister of Communications and Informatics Johnny G. Plate on Tuesday (22/3) explained that the distribution of STB is done door to door. The so-called receiver verification process is carried out simultaneously during distribution and installation.
Johnny also revealed that currently there is a shortage of STB donations for stages two and three. The second stage of donations is said to need 152 thousand units and the third stage requires 1.3 million units.
“We continue to look for solutions to meet the needs that are not yet available in the government budget,” Johnny said as reported by Antara.
Furthermore, Kominfo explained the reason for the shutdown of the analog TV. The Minister of Communication and Informatics said Digital TV migration can encourage people to be more productive by utilizing internet service access. According to him, with this access, various creative ideas and ideas of the community can be channeled.
“For example, MSME businesses are encouraged or get opportunities and convenience to penetrate a wider market through internet access. Therefore, the program to stop analog TV will then switch to digital TV, which is related to the quality of internet services,” he explained.
He continued, the faster people switch to digital TV, the more open the radio frequency spectrum for internet services. The spectrum that was previously used for analog broadcasts can be used for opportunities to boost the digital economy
So far, the 700 MHz frequency band used for analog broadcasts is considered wasteful. Switching to digital broadcasting will result in digital dividends, one of which is for the deployment of 5G services.
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