Analog TV Will Be Replaced By Digital TV, Watch TV Must Use The Internet?

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Communication and Information (Kemkominfo) will turn off all analog TV broadcasts throughout Indonesia and switch to digital TV. Less than a month away Analog Switch Off (ASO) or migration of analog TV to digital Phase 1 will be completed on August 17, 2021.

The Ministry of Communication and Information Number 6 of 2021 concerning Broadcasting, states that it will gradually stop analog TV broadcasting in various regions until it completely switches to digital TV broadcasting no later than November 2, 2022. The Ministry of Communication and Information has divided it into five stages for lethal injection of analog TV. Throughout 2021, the government will stop broadcasting analog TV in two stages. The remaining three stages will be carried out in 2022.

Even though it was switched to digital TV, this transfer did not use internet access. Of course this is a concern because not all Indonesian people can reach it.

The Expert Staff for Legal Affairs of the Minister of Communication and Information, Henri Subiakto, revealed that not a few have asked the difference between analog TV and digital TV. In fact, there is something wrong with the definition of digital TV." Some think that digitizing this TV has changed to analog TV with a TV that can internet. No, there is no need (digital TV) to use the internet. There is no need to use a network that is like using internet credit, no, " said Henri, Thursday, July 29. Henri explained, the digital TV in question is almost the same as the one used so far. "When analog TV is transferred to digital, it doesn't need internet, but what is needed is a Set Top Box (STB)," he explained. "This STB device is for old TVs. he continued. For information, a set top box is a special tool that allows people to enjoy digital TV broadcasts, even though they are still using the old TV.

Still a Pandemic, Digitization Don't Hurry

Previously, Member of Commission I DPR RI, Rachel Maryam Sayidina, assessed that the digitalization program was actually very good for accelerating the development of technology infrastructure, especially in the broadcasting sector.

This is because the change from analog to digitalization will have a good impact on broadcast quality, which is more stable and resistant to interference (interference, damaged sound and/or picture, ghosting).

However, according to Rachel, this digitalization program requires careful preparation and readiness from both the government and the community.

"This digitalization broadcast program must be prepared carefully, not in a hurry, especially in terms of procurement and distribution of assistive devices in the form of Set Top Boxes, which the government has promised will be distributed to the public for free," Rachel told reporters, Wednesday, July 28.

The Gerindra politician then questioned the extent to which the government took steps to prepare supporting devices for this digitalization broadcast. Can it be optimally done in the midst of this pandemic condition or not?

"Obviously we have to see the extent of the government's steps in preparing supporting devices for digitalization broadcasts for the public," he explained.

In addition, Rachel said, it must also be seen how far the community is prepared to receive digitalization broadcasts in the current pandemic conditions. This is because the community is suffering from a health and economic crisis due to the pandemic.

"If it is coupled with a digitalization program that requires people to buy digital TVs or wait for a set top box from the government, it is not clear when it will arrive at their homes, then this will be an additional burden on the community," explained the West Java electoral district legislator.

Rachel reminded that television is one of the main entertainment media for the community, especially during the current pandemic. Where the public is encouraged to do more activities at home as an effort to accelerate the handling of COVID-19.

"If this is carried out in a hurry without proper preparation, it will have the potential to cut off the people's right to be able to access entertainment at home, considering that currently the majority of people are still using analog TV," he said.

Meanwhile, Rachel added, the scheme for the distribution of Set Top Boxes (STB) has so far not been discussed with Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

"There has been no discussion of the mechanism for providing Set Top Boxes to the public, this of course needs attention, so that the distribution is not evenly distributed to the community. Meanwhile, the government has discussed turning off analog TV broadcasts to digital, which is targeted for completion in November 2021," said Rachel.

"If this happens, many people will no longer be able to watch TV broadcasts as an entertainment medium in the midst of a pandemic. So the government must consider this," he concluded.

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Tag: nasional nusantara kementerian komunikasi dan informatika internet