PH set to adopt Japan TV format

The path has been cleared for the country to adopt the Japanese standard for digital television, which would provide better TV quality and more channels, an official of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said Tuesday.

This would pave the way for the release of implementing rules next year, NTC deputy commissioner Edgardo Cabarios said in the interview.

Cabarios expects a “migration” to the new standard within the next few years.

The NTC Tuesday set a hearing on the adoption of the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting platform from Japan. It was chosen over the European platform.

While the country’s two biggest broadcast companies were earlier reported to have opposing views on which platform would be appropriate, Cabarios said there was no opposition to the adoption of the Japanese standard during Tuesday’s hearing.

“Nobody expressed opposition, so we will adopt it. There have been some comments, but these are minor and are being reviewed,” Cabarios said.

Many of the comments, he said, involved the definition of terms.

“One comment was on the definition of digital television—these are considered minor but, of course, a wrong definition could have an impact on the MC [ memorandum circular] so the commission is reviewing these,” he said.

The Japanese standard was earlier favored by ABS-CBN, which noted that the platform would be relatively cheaper for viewers.

On timing, the circular could take effect by the end of next month, Cabarios said. A technical working group from the government, broadcast industry and consumers will be formed.

These aspects are considered essential in forming the final implementing rules and regulations (IRR), for the adoption of the Japanese digital TV standard.

“The IRR will be promulgated within next year,” Cabarios said.

Among the considerations would be the speed in getting consumers to shift to digital television.

A faster implementation period would be cheaper for broadcasting stations in the long-run but could prove costly for consumers, who would need to acquire devices to allow their analog TVs to avail of digital services, as well as add-on features.

“It would be a balancing act,” Cabarios said.

Among the considerations would be government subsidies—similar to those given by the US and Japanese governments when they migrated to digital TV. But Cabarios clarified that nothing has been discussed at this point.