Government issues decree on postponement of analog shutdown

This is a machine translation of a press release from the Bolivian Ministry of Public Works, Services and Housing

OBRAS INFORMA - The Minister of Public Works, Services and Housing, Edgar Montaño, informed the population that in a cabinet session the Supreme Decree 5236 of October 2, 2024 was approved, referring to the extension of the analog blackout process, which in the country's main axis now runs until May 2026 and in other regions until May 2028 and May 2030.

"This clearly has an impact on society, as there are still homes that do not have a fully digital television, but instead receive the signal from analogue channels," said Montaño.

The purpose of this provision is to make a transition to digital terrestrial television in an appropriate, equitable and accessible manner, since, as the highest authority of Public Works emphasized: “every Bolivian citizen has the right of access to information, as indicated by the Political Constitution of the State.”

In coordination with managers and representatives of Bolivian television channels and after conducting a study in the country's main axis, an agreement was reached to extend the analog shutdown period: for La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Viacha, Vinto, Warnes and El Torno until May 2026; for Cobija, Montero, Oruro, Potosí, Sucre, Tarija, Trinidad, Valle Alto and localities with a population greater than 40 thousand inhabitants until May 2028; and for the rest of the national territory until May 2030.

"This is a Supreme Decree that has been discussed not only with the channel operators but also with society as a whole," the official concluded.