Due to the shutdown of analog transmitters, many citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) entered the New Year without image or tone. This summer, the Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA) ordered the shutdown of 15 BHRT transmitters and more than 150 transmitters from other TV stations, due to interference with the 5G network in Croatia. However, the competent institutions in BiH have not offered the citizens an appropriate alternative, nor are they following the necessary digitalization process. On the contrary.
As of January 1st, the BHT1 program can no longer be monitored via analog signal in the Sarajevo, Mostar, and Banja Luka regions, parts of Tuzla, Zenica-Doboj Canton, and many other places throughout BiH. The that were shut down are part of the request of Croatia, which requested the abolition of a total of 171 transmitters because they hinder the introduction of the 5G network. But, at the end of November last year, BHRT received an order from the CRA to shut down its two transmitters that were not on the original list – in Vlasic and Capljina. Explanation – interfering with the digital radio signal from neighboring Croatia. The transmitter on Vlasic covers as much as 50 percent of the territory of BiH so that citizens who do not have money for the services of a cable operator – no longer have a picture.
“Our citizens call us every day. I must emphasize that this is, first of all, a returnee population with inquiries about the BHRT signal. Unfortunately, following the orders of the CRA, we had to turn off our analog signal, and until further notice, these people stayed without the possibility to follow our program, but also the programs of some other televisions, ” said Belmin Karamehmedovic, Director-General of BHRT.
Although BHRT acted on the orders of the CRA, not all TV stations did the same. CRA did not explain why certain transmitters continued to broadcast the analog signal, and whether anyone is favored. They promise an answer in the coming days. This problem arose in the middle of last year when the notification from the CRA arrived. BHRT made several suggestions, including temporarily covering the Tuzla Canton with a digital signal, which would solve some of the problems. CRA asked BHRT to obtain approval from the Radio-Television of Republika Srpska (RS), which is also a public broadcaster. The answer to the letter and the urgency never arrived.
Back in 2015, three digital regions were released – Sarajevo, Mostar, and Banja Luka, and nothing has been done since then. All deadlines have long expired. At the request of Croatia, 26 televisions were endangered. BHRT received an order to shut down 21 transmitters, Federal Television 40, and RTRS 15. Requests will be made from other countries as well. CRA is also trying to activate MUX D, which is run by a commercial operator, even though the conclusion of BiH Parliament requires suspending tenders for private operators because they are not in line with the Digital Broadcasting Strategy. It sounds complicated, but the fact is that about 20 percent of the citizens of BiH have seen only “snow” on television since January 1st, instead of a picture. It is not their or our fault.
E.Dz.
Source: BHRT
