The IDF will provide all bases with digital terrestrial television (DTT) service. Sources inform ''Globes'' that the IDF Teleprocessing Branch has published a tender to pick a vendor for DTT set-top boxes that will replace the cable and satellite television service, provided by HOT Telecommunication Systems Ltd. (TASE: HOT) and DBS Satellite Services (1998) Ltd. (YES), respectively to IDF units.
The switch to DTT service will reportedly save tens of millions of shekels a year, because apparently only 10,000 DTT set-top boxes will be procured.
Analog television service will end across the country at the end of March. Consequently, the IDF will need DTT set-top boxes for units that have no cable or satellite hookups, and will therefore not receive any television at all, without DTT.
The financial savings are possible because the IDF will make a one-time payment of NIS 200 per DTT set-top box, compared with an annual payment of NIS 1,900 for each unit with multi-channel television. The IDF will pay for DTT set-top boxes as part of a broader contract with the tender winner.
DTT offers five channels: Israel Broadcasting Authority Channel 1 and 33, commercial stations Channel 2 and Channel 10, and the Knesset Channel.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 22, 2011
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