| |
Digital terrestrial broadcasting will begin in the three major metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya in December 2003.
The government's plan describes a schedule for broadcasting to have started in all major cities by the end of 2006, and for current analog broadcasts to have been completely replaced with digital broadcasting by 2011.
In view of the launch of digital terrestrial broadcasting, an analog-to-analog conversion has already started. This conversion changes the frequencies used by analog terrestrial broadcasting to secure the channels needed for digital broadcasting.
To deliver broadcast waves nationwide, the present analog broadcasting system has relay stations spread throughout the country. The total number of relay stations reaches 3,500 for NHK alone. The digitalization of terrestrial broadcasting will require the upgrade of these relay stations to digital format compliant facilities.
|
