Switching from analogue to digital broadcasting will make it possible to reduce the price of the channel distribution service by 10-15 times. However, in Kazakhstan, on the contrary, this can lead to a rise in the cost and bankruptcy of regional TV channels.

In the spring of 2018, Kazteleradio JSC sent to non-state, national and regional TV channels tariffs that were non-transparent. According to Sholpan Zhaksybayeva, executive director of the National Association of Television and Radio Broadcasters of Kazakhstan, the issue of ruining regional television has matured 7 years ago. In 2011, a policy was announced for the transition of CETI, which was introduced by Kazteleradio JSC.

“Initially, private television companies were not included in the digitalization plan at all, we had more than one international conference with foreign experts and proved that private companies have a place to be. Now we faced the question of tariffs. The digital tariff was to reduce the cost of the service 15 times. However, the TV channels will lose funds, and Kazteleradio JSC is a state monopolist who has increased tariffs, ”said Sholpan Zhaksybayeva.

In the spring of 2018 a tariff was set, where the price for 1 Wat of the signal was 343 tenge. According to calculations, a private TV channel in the city of Shymkent, including VAT, had to pay 1.2 million tenge per month. After numerous complaints and letters from the directors of TV channels and the association, the tariff was reduced to 178 tenge. At the same time, the price for the number of wats grows unreasonably, leaders of the channels are sure. The tariff is not confirmed by real cost, the difference in power may be more expensive by 10% depending on electricity, but not twice, says Sholpan Zhaksybayeva.

“10 years of experience in auditing and can say that money for power cannot be multiplied. When we asked for the methodology, we were told that we would provide the data after signing the non-disclosure document. It seems to us that they want to contain other items of expenditure at our expense. We are entrepreneurs and pay taxes. When the state had a difficult time, we bought the frequencies, invested in infrastructure. We have nowhere to go and can’t do anything with our towers, ”said the director of the Otrar channel Zhanna Nurseitova.

Today, TV channels are divided into two groups. The first, having a frequency and transmitter, broadcast free of charge, as they have their own transmission infrastructure. The second one with its frequency leased the transmitter and paid monthly from 30 to 390 thousand tenge. With the transition to digital broadcasting, the tariffs for groups will rise from 178 thousand to 1.2 million tenge, depending on the transmitter power.

“This is an unreasonable price. The service should be cheaper, instead of this, Karaganda will pay 534 thousand tenge from the analogue-free New TV, ”Sholpan Zhaksybayeva emphasized. - We requested a tariff calculation method and a number of documents that were not provided. Information can only be obtained by signing a non-disclosure document. ”

As Bekzat Rakhimov, director of the department of state policy in the field of mass media of the MIC RK, explained, the tariff changed and the state assumed the main burden.

“Each of you was on working groups, hearings and everyone knew that there would be a phased implementation, the frequencies would need to be returned. The tariff, which was submitted in the spring, was revised according to numerous requests. And the state took the main burden on itself. After a comparative analysis of costs for commercial republican and regional media with the same number of transmitters, there is a significant increase in the cost of services. The existing costs of the TsETV network were divided into two multiplexes, then calculated for 1 W, ”the specialist said.

According to calculations, the cost of 1 W of the first multiplex, which will include state channels will be 311 tenge excluding VAT, which is several times more than the established tariff for private companies

After the transition, all previously issued permits for using the radio frequency spectrum cease to operate. In 1998, the state began selling frequencies and giving perpetual licenses. TRC "Alau" of the Kostanay region was on the verge of closing, however, people learned about the imminent closure of the TV channel and raised money. The frequency was purchased for 100 thousand dollars. Today, the audience coverage of the channel in the region is 69%. According to Article 42 of the Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the state must compensate the funds spent on the acquisition of frequencies. The issue of reimbursement is still in limbo.

“I understand that frequencies are needed for the introduction of digital television. Therefore, the message of Kazakhstan is obliged to switch to digital broadcasting. What should we do? State channels left without profit know that the state will help, and there is no one to help us? It is not clear what kind of audience we will have with the transition to the figure, ”said the director-general of the Novoy Television channel, Karaganda Ruslan Nikonovich.

Aigul Solovyova and Deputy Kenes Absatirov supported entrepreneurs. Why do we protect foreign investors, and their entrepreneurs put a spoke in the wheel, Aigul Solovieva asked.

“These are the same entrepreneurs who have invested in frequencies, infrastructure and developed their business. Now they are taken from them, and they have to pay again. The main question is what can they be reimbursed? If you can not recover the cost, then what are needed, then the benefits of the transition to digital television. There is article 42, why is it not being respected? ”Asked Aigul Solovyova.

The deputies also recommended opening the calculation methodology and conducting ARV, which will determine the cost of implementing digital broadcasting for regional TV channels.