Russian analogue broadcasters set for reprieve

Russia’s State Commission for Radio Frequencies (GKRCH) is set to allow local broadcasters to extend their analogue transmissions for a further two years on receipt of an application for a permit, according to local reports.

Gaining permission from the state organization will enable qualifying broadcasters to continue over-the-air analogue transmissions in the 174-230MHz and 470-70MHz bands until August 2025, according to the reports.

The GKRCH had previously granted a one-year delay to switch off, but has now extended this by another year.

While other countries have already moved ahead with the transfer of frequencies in these bands to mobile operators for 5G, over 100 primarily local and regional channels are still broadcasting in analogue in Russia, according to the report.

The GKRCH previously allocated spectrum in the 790-862MHz band for mobile communications. Winning bidders Rostelecom, MTS, Megafon and VimpelCom/Beeline have not, however, been given access to spectrum in the ranges used for analogue broadcasting, with a 2021 deadline for a roadmap for this to happen being missed.