June 18, 2013

The Lebanese National Committee for Transition to Digital TV is in charge of the implementation of the national plan for the migration to digital broadcasting in Lebanon (under the Council of Ministers Decision No. 1/113 and Decision No. 1/293 issued by the Ministers of Communications and Information). The committee organized today a press conference to launch its work on the migration to digital broadcasting at the headquarters of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in Beirut. The press conference was marked by the presence of the Minister of Telecommunications HE. Nicolas Sehnaoui, the Minister of Information HE. Walid Daouk, the Chairman of the Committee and the TRA Chairman and CEO Dr. Imad Hoballah, the Chairman of the National Media Council, Mr. Abdul-Hadi Mahfouz, the Committee Secretary Mr. Ghaleb Kandil, in addition to the members of the Committee, Eng. Gaby Daniel, Eng. Antoine Boustany, Mr. Talal Assaf, Eng. Toufic Halawi, Eng. Louis Riachi, Mr. Jean Hakim and Eng. Mohamad Ayoub and a number of officials and public sector employees and media representatives.

Mr. Ghaleb Kandil opened the press conference by welcoming the audience and presenting the committee members then left the floor to Mr. Abdel-Hadi Mahfouz who gave a speech in which he stressed on the importance of the transition to digital TV and the need to strengthen the cooperation between the ministries and governmental institutions. Mr. Mahfouz also reviewed the benefits of the transition to digital broadcasting such as improving the quality of service and highlighted the impact of this transition on the rehabilitation and the development of Lebanon's official television. He also stated that this step is a gateway to establish a media city in Lebanon that can position the country as the media capital of the Arab region and its source of information in addition to generating capital. He concluded by stressing on the need for the government to set a media vision to ensure the development of the sector.

After Mr. Mahfouz’s speech, Dr. Imad Hoballah gave a detailed presentation titled: "The transition from analogue to digital TV broadcasting by June 17, 2015" in which he presented the structure of the Committee and its functions and explained the importance of the transition to digital broadcasting and the benefits of this transition on the Lebanese society. Dr. Hoballah also presented the work that the Committee has achieved till date and the procedures to be undertaken for the transition to digital broadcasting. Finally, Dr. Hoballah elaborated the steps for the transition and stressed on the priority of protecting the Lebanese consumers and their rights during the transition process.

To view Mr. Mahfouz’s speech click here
To view Dr. Hoballah’ s presentation click here
To view the full press release click here