Russia to wait for set-top penetration before switchover

Russia will wait until 95% of households own a digital TV set-top box before switching off analogue signals, according to the Minister of Mass Communications Igor Shchegolev.

He said the state would not subsidise the cost of digital set-top boxes, adding that about 10% of homes currently own one. However, he said the government would invest RUB127bn (€2,9bn) in the overall switchover process between now and 2015, of which RUB80bn would be provided from the federal budget. Digital TV services will begin on a mass scale in the southeast regions.