📈 Sri Lanka Greenlights Digital TV Shift: New Analogue Licences Halted

• Major Policy Step: Cabinet has approved the immediate halt on issuing new terrestrial analogue television licences, accelerating the country's long-delayed transition to digital broadcasting. • Rationale: The current analogue system, used by 24 channels (including 5 State-owned), has reached its maximum spectrum capacity, making further expansion impractical. • Digital Project: The Mass Media Ministry initiated the "Digital Non-territorial Television Broadcasting Project," aiming to establish a unified digital terrestrial platform to replace 46 existing analogue systems. • Timeline & Support: Full project implementation, supported by an agreement with Japan, is expected by 2029. The analogue switch-off is planned for two years after the project's completion. • Regulatory: Frequency allocation responsibilities have been transferred to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). • Public Impact: No new fees will be imposed on the public for the transition, though viewers may need to purchase compatible devices. The digital shift will also free up valuable frequency spectrum for new channel opportunities.