QUETTA: A policy paper on digital switchover in Pakistan was launched here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Director of Internet Policy Observatory Pakistan (IPOP) Arzak Khan said that analog to digital transition in Pakis­tan represented the most significant change in the history of television broadcasting infrastructure, with production, broadcasting, transmission and household reception all affected by the process.

Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had set the initial deadline of switchover for December, 2015, but the target could not be achieved as its framework for digitalisation was seriously flawed and did not have a clear vision or strategy in design and implementation of digitalisation process in Pakistan, Mr Khan said.

According to him, people at the observatory believe that the switchover in Pakistan to an advanced digital television system is not one that will follow a simple trajectory in which consumers will merely turn off analog television one day, and turn on the digital one the next day as Pemra is expecting.

“The transition from analog to digital television brings with it complex political, economic and cultural issues ranging from political manoeuvrings to economic disincentives and cultural resistance,” he said. Analog television networks across Pakistan are providing one of the most affordable forms of entertainment and information services.

One of the reasons for the faster adoption and growth of cable television services in Pakistan is the cost affordability factor and very low barriers to entry for households. It is cheaper when compared to other telecommunication services, like broadband internet, IPTV (internet protocol television) and telephony services.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2016