According to Deputy Minister, in the first phase about 1 billion UAH will be invested in the project, aimed at developing a digital standard based on the existing towers of the Broadcasting, Radiocommunications & Television Concern (BRT Concern). 

 “The first phase will cost less than one billion UAH, and the entire program – about three billion UAH, if we do everything required by the Geneva plan. And the first phase is one billion,” says Oleg Prozhivalsky. 

He also explains that at the moment there are two options for the project investment. The first one is the development of digital networks by broadcasters’ order, and the second one is building the network against a credit, with its further leasing to broadcasters. However, at this point the Ministry of Transport inclines towards the first option. 

 “We could now raise a credit if there was a solvent customer, but now many companies operate on a shoestring. They do not order advertising, respectively, broadcasters have no resources. This means that we can build a 100% area coverage, according to the Geneva plan, but there will be no one to order, because production costs will be rather high. Therefore, in the first stage we are going to do it in the cheaper way – hoping that even in the face of the financial crisis there will be customers,” says Oleg Prozhivalsky. 

According to him, if the broadcasters lack resources to start the “digit”, then the network will develop by means of the BRT Concern. In this case the Ministry of Transport is ready to negotiate a loan with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 

“We are ready, if companies are unable, to talk with the European Bank, which intends to credit our program. And if broadcasters are unable or lack resources, then we'll consider developing the network by means of the BRT Concern,” says Oleg Prozhivalsky. 

Source: proit.com.ua/news/telecom