The president of the Philippines has confirmed that the country will adopt Japan’s ISDB digital transmission system. While the decision is not unexpected, Benigno Aquino III , signed off the bill which authorises the nation’s National Telecoms Commission to begin groundwork for the transmissions.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a press briefing November 5th, said the decision to adopt the Japanese technology was reached after a series of consultations by the President’s economic team, the Department of Science and Technology and the NTC with various stakeholders, including broadcasters. The last public hearing was held on October 29th where major stakeholders approved the draft memorandum circular for the ISDB-T system.

The advantages offered by ISDB include the benefit of automatic transmissions to the population’s cellular phones and tablets, as well as TV sets, of any impending natural disasters.  Coloma  stressed that with more than 20 typhoons striking the Philippines every year, and with six active faults, the country is situated within the Pacific ‘ring of fire’ thereby exposing the Filipino people to constant danger and adversity.

Aquino says she expects the analogue to digital transition period to be about 2-3 years.

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