Sweden - Boxer prepares shift to MPEG-4 for terrestrial

Thursday, March 27th, 2008
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Eight new national channels are getting licences from the Swedish Radio and TV Authority (Radio- och TV-verket) to broadcast on the digital terrestrial network. All the channels currently broadcasting are getting their licences extended. Most of the new ones will start broadcasting using the new compression technology MPEG4.

The channels that are to broadcast using MPEG4 technology are to broadcast using the new Mux 6, a broadcasting network, that is not currently available, but expansion of which will be starting during this year. This means that a gradual shift in technology is starting on the Swedish DTT network.

Boxer will, in the near future, start offering MPEG4 receivers in conjunction with sale of subscriptions. The ambition is to change over to MPEG4 technology. There is not, as yet, any exact timetable, but there is no doubt about the direction things are taking.

As part of the ambition to change over to MPEG4 receivers, as from 1 April, Boxer is ceasing to accept new MPEG2 receivers for testing and approval. The signal to the home-electronics industry is clear. MPEG4 is now the technology for the Swedish DTT network.