Sharjah: In efforts to keep pace with the latest global trends, the Sharjah Media Corporation (SMC) has announced the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

The move comes under the vision and guidance of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

The switch to a new broadcasting system was initiated during a press conference at the SMC’s headquarters, during which Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation, pressed a transmitter button to mark the official launch of digital television broadcasting in Sharjah.

This makes the Sharjah Media Corporation among the first media organisations in the UAE, the GCC and the wider region to go for digital video broadcasting – terrestrial2 (DVB-T2).

“We are committed to deliver our message in a manner consistent with His Highness’ unlimited support and will focus on conveying Sharjah’s message and the UAE’s values and on serving the local and Arab community with meaningful content,” said the Chairman of the SMC.

The move aims to enable viewers to access channels promoting conservative content via modern broadcasting systems for a better viewing experience, explained Dr Khalid Al Midfa, Director General of SMC. He said that the project worth over Dh7 million will cover all areas and cities in Sharjah, particularly the Central and Eastern Regions. He added that the corporation is updating its network applications to allow for broadcasting its terrestrial channels after the transition to digital broadcasting is achieved.

Tariq Al Awadi, Executive Director of Spectrum Affairs at Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, pointed out that this move is in compliance with the digital broadcasting plan issued by the International Telecommunication Union. According to this plan, the latest analogue switch-off date is June 17, 2015, he said.

Following the announcement of the SMC’s switch to digital terrestrial broadcasting, many broadcasting units were operated in line with the new broadcasting format. Those units are Central Sharjah unit via channel 27UHF, Al Khan unit via 21 UHF, and two broadcasting units in the Central Region via 27, one of them in Al Dhaid and the other in Bahais. In addition, there will be broadcasting unit in the Eastern region via 21 in Kalba, Khorfakkan and Dibba Al Hisn, which will be ready beginning 2015. The SMC accelerated its pace to expand broadcasting units to cover all the emirates in the coming period.