Dominican Republic begins transition to digital terrestrial television

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel) is set to launch the transition from analog to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) starting this Wednesday. The initial phase will cover Greater Santo Domingo, the National District, the Eastern region, and San Cristóbal. Indotel plans to distribute 940,000 signal converter boxes to vulnerable households that rely on antenna-based television and lack contracted services, ensuring they can access the new digital signal. The nationwide distribution is expected to be completed by 2025.

The effort is backed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with a $20 million investment. Julissa Cruz, Indotel’s executive director, highlighted the democratization of access to quality public television, addressing the poor image quality currently experienced by many Dominicans.

Digital Terrestrial Television enables free, high-quality broadcast signals using advanced technology. This shift will not only improve viewing experiences but also free up radio spectrum for next-generation mobile services, marking a significant milestone in the country’s telecommunications modernization efforts.