DVB Visits Latin America
Peter Siebert, Director of the DVB Project Office, recently visited Panama and Colombia, (both DVB-T country’s) to give them first-hand information about DVB-T2
In the Technical University in Panama City together with representatives from the European Commission, Peter gave a presentation on the latest situation with DVB-T2.
The audience was made up of representatives from the industry and media as well as a large group of students. Many questions about the pros and cons of using DVB-T2, the latest terrestrial digital delivery standard, were asked.
Further discussions took place with Autoridad Nacional de Servicios Publicos (ASEP), and the national regulator for Broadcast and Telecommunications.
Finally, the European Commission and the DVB Project Office had a meeting with Mrs. Marisin Luzcando, General Director of the Public Broadcaster, (Sistema Estatal de Radio y Television (SERTV). At this meeting, the discussion centred on which DVB specifications could provide the best fit for the specific use cases of SERTV.
Peter Siebert was impressed with the roll-out of DVB technology in the region and the amount of interest in DVB specifications.
Source: DVB
Item added: 5th December 2011 



DVB-T implementation starts in September
Panama will initiate its programme and implementation of the Terrestrial Digital Television format DVB-T in September according to Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos - República de Panamá. At present commercial analogue transmissions use the 6 MHz channels 41, 42, 45 and 49. The DTT channels are expected to be the same, however this may change as a period of simulcasting of both analogue and DTT signals during the transition has been suggested.
Source: Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos - República de Panamá
Item added: 31st January 2011  



DVB-T services Launched
Free-to-air DTT services officially launched in Panama on the 10th December 2009.
The service was launched by public service broadcaster SERTV.
Commercial broadcasters are expected to launch DTT services in the coming months.
According to estimates by the Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos (ASEP), approximately 770,000 DTT receivers will be sold next year. Currently, DTT set-top boxes are available from $20 and iDTVs are expected to be introduced soon.
Analogue switch-off is expected to be completed in 10 years time.
Sources: Panorama Audiovisual.com and SERTV
Item added: 21st December 2009 




DVB welcomes Panama’s adoption of DVB-T
Peter Siebert, Executive Director of the DVB Project, commented: "DVB welcomes this momentous decision by Panama and is looking forward to working with the country’s stakeholders and industry as they make the move to digital TV. By choosing DVB-T, Panama joins a growing worldwide DVB community that includes fellow Latin American countries Uruguay and Colombia, benefiting from economies of scale and bringing the advantages of digital television to all. DVB offers the widest portfolio of standards to suit each country’s needs.”
Phil Laven, Chairman of DVB Project, stressed that “As Panama chooses DVB-T, other Latin American countries are considering their digital television futures. DVB continues to grow from strength to strength around the world, with more than 240 million DVB receivers currently in use. DVB provides an ideal toolbox for broadcasters and network operators as they embrace convergence and enter the digital age.”
Download full press release
Item added: 25th May 2009




Republic of Panama selects DVB-T
According to Panama’s official gazette, the government has decreed in (Decreto Ejecutivo Nº 96) that DVB-T should be the standard for DTT.
The President of Panama, Martin Torrijos signed the decree dated the 12th May adopting the standard for DTT services within the country.
The decision follows a recommendation from the Technical Commission on Digital Broadcasting which has been analysing and testing the performance of the ATSC, DVB-T, and ISDB standards.
Main Source: Summa news
Item added: 18th May 2009


The information published on these pages comes from many sources and whilst DVB believe it to be correct we cannot guarantee its accuracy.

Last page update: 5th December 2011, Barry Tew