According to People’s Army Newspaper Online, Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications says it will issue a set of digital TV standards in preparation for the digitalisation of TV broadcasting. The move follows a request from the Japanese Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City, which includes a number of TV makers like Sony and Panasonic.

The association said that a set of standards (technical specifications) was required before they could begin making the new digital TV sets, particularly CI+/CI (common interface) connectors which would take time. The ministry said Vietnam planned to cease broadcasting analogue TV in five major cities next year as digital TV takes over.

It was further reported that during the transition period until 2020, households would still gain access to digital TV through the existing sets using set-top decoder boxes, which they would have to purchase. The State would help about 2 million poor families purchase the boxes with the budget coming from the telecommunication public-interest fund. TV companies will concentrate on developing content while other companies will take charge of broadcasting.

The first of four phases will be carried out in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho with the second phase to be carried out in 26 provinces by December 31, 2016. The third phase focuses on 18 more provinces while the last phase places an emphasis on the remote provinces of the north and central region.