Cuba. With the participation of 45,000 homes located in 50 neighborhoods of Havana, tests began for the implementation of digital television in Cuba under the Chinese standard.
For these tests, in the chosen areas the Cuban government distributed the decoders, of the Haier brand, so that the beneficiaries can continue using the current televisions but with the options of the new technology.
According to the information released, Havana was chosen as the place for the start of the tests due to its geographical conditions, the number of television users, for concentrating the largest number of tall buildings on the island and for having the networks to achieve coverage of the target audience.
For these tests, the transmissions of five national channels, the local channel of Havana, as well as the signal of Cubavisión internacional, a music channel and another of children's content will be available.
The process of implementing digital television on the island is scheduled in three stages. The first, of five years, includes the operation of the two systems, analog and digital. The second, from 2016, contemplates the installation of the service coverage and by 2021 the analog blackout is expected as a third stage.
