Published on Cuba Si (http://cubasi.cu)

Russian telco expertise boosts Cuban DTT

Eyeing the analogue switch-off scheduled for December 2021 and the beginning of the switchover next summer, the deal aims to 'strengthen the work that has been done so far in Cuba towards TV digitalisation', said Alfonso Noya, president of the Instituto Cubano de Radio y Televisión (ICRT).

According to the official figures, over three-fifths of the island is covered by the DTT signal and about 40% of homes are properly equipped to start watching digital TV.

Though not many details about the agreement have been unveiled so far, Alfonso Noya said that broadcasters Russia Today - whose assistant manager, Alexander Luchaninov, participated in the deal's signing - and teleSUR will play an important role.

"This agreement is also an important step forward in the bilateral relationships between Cuba and Russia, and, specially, regarding broadcasting," added Rashid Ismailov, vice minister of telecom and mass communications of the Russian Federation.