old tv — Cyprus has decided to extend the old TV platform, Velister, for an additional three months due to transition challenges faced by viewers following the switch to the new DVB-T2 standard. The Department of Electronic Communications made this announcement, stating that the previous digital terrestrial television platform would run in parallel with the new system from today.
- The service centre can be reached at 22 000 737 for any inquiries related to the new system.
Old tv: Problems Prompting the Extension
The decision to maintain Velister alongside the new platform comes after numerous complaints from households that encountered issues since the full transition to DVB-T2. Many viewers, despite making the necessary adjustments or purchasing new decoders, reported being unable to access the new frequencies. Hellas Sat, the operator of the new platform, attributed these difficulties primarily to outdated antenna installations, faulty cabling, and unsuitable decoders.
Additional Time for Viewers
This three-month extension allows residents additional time to rectify their setups, whether that involves retuning their televisions, acquiring compatible decoders, or adjusting home reception equipment. The Department of Electronic Communications indicated that citizens can tune their receivers to the channels they accessed up to June 30 on the old platform. The renewed operation of Velister is intended solely to facilitate a smoother transition to the new system.
Understanding the Transition to DVB-T2
Christodoulos Protopapas, CEO of Hellas Sat, acknowledged that such issues are not uncommon during transitions from older systems, as similar occurrences have been reported in other countries. He noted that the affected households represent a relatively small percentage of the total, suggesting that many viewers had not addressed their installation issues in a timely manner.
Benefits of the New System
Protopapas explained that the shift to DVB-T2 is essential for delivering high-definition picture quality and making more efficient use of the broadcasting spectrum. However, he cautioned that the increased data carried through the cables can create challenges for older installations, particularly those with outdated cabling or signal amplifiers. He advised that those experiencing issues should consider upgrading to a new television or a high-quality decoder.
Support for Consumers
Hellas Sat has made teams available to assist installers, who can reach out to the company for support. Protopapas emphasised that the issues do not stem from Hellas Sat’s operations, but rather from problems with viewers’ antennas and installations. He highlighted instances where consumers purchased low-quality decoders that were incapable of receiving the DVB-T2 signal, as well as cases where televisions needed their country settings adjusted to activate the new system.
Technical Challenges Faced by Households
Andronikos Kakkouras, Deputy Director of the Department of Electronic Communications, revealed that the licence for the new network was granted to Hellas Sat after the previous licence expired and Velister showed no interest in continuing operations. Without this change, he stated, the old network would have eventually rendered television viewing impossible in Cyprus.
Kakkouras acknowledged the struggles many citizens are facing, noting that they had a three-month transition period to resolve issues in their homes. He indicated that many left their adjustments until the last minute, which contributed to the surge in calls to Hellas Sat’s call centre, logging around 1,600 inquiries the day before the transition.
Understanding the Technical Issues
The transition to high-definition broadcasting makes reception more sensitive for televisions and decoders. Kakkouras pointed out that some viewers continue to face challenges due to internal cabling issues, even after retuning their devices. He explained that in certain instances, the system only began functioning properly after the decoder was replaced. There were also cases where installers mistakenly tuned households to Velister’s old frequencies, leaving their televisions inoperable.
Looking Ahead
As viewers navigate these challenges, Kakkouras expressed optimism that many will resolve their issues within the extended time frame. He reflected on the tendency of some individuals to procrastinate, saying, “We expected there would be problems because we are a last-minute people.” For those still experiencing difficulties, he urged them to seek assistance from the Hellas Sat service centre, which offers further information and support.
The service centre can be reached at 22 000 737 for any inquiries related to the new system.
