PHNOM PENH: On Thursday, 17 March, with the high permission of Prime Minister Hun Sen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Porn Moniroth, presided over the signing ceremony of the "Shareholder Agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia, represented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Cambodian Television Alliance Co., Ltd. to establish the Cambodian Digital TV Nursery Company."

The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and was attended by the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Dr. Ieng Sunly, on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, and Her Excellency Hun Mana, a representative of the TV Alliance Cambodia, as well as other leaders and relevant officials from both sides.

The signing ceremony of the "Shareholder Agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia, represented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Cambodian Television Coalition Company Limited to establish the Cambodian Digital Television Company Limited" is an important milestone that reflects the progress of the socio-economic situation in Cambodia, especially the digital sector under the wise leadership of Prime Minister.

It should also be noted that the cooperation between the Royal Government and the Cambodian Television Coalition Company Limited in the establishment of the Cambodian Digital Television Company Limited Company is a reality that shows the importance of a close partnership between the state and the private sector in the Cambodia Development Process.

In line with the Royal Government of Cambodia's Digital Frequency Relocation Plan, this Cambodian Digital TV nursery will allow private analog television companies to convert broadcasts from analog to high-quality digital in order to transmit video and audio to audiences across the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Royal Government will be able to liberate certain frequency bands from private analog TV companies, especially the 700 MHz frequency band, which can be handed over to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for use in the telecommunications sector, such as in the development of 5G, which has a higher economic advantage compared to its use in the audio-visual sector.

The establishment of this digital TV nursery is also the result of the Royal Government's strong commitment to complying with the best practices of the countries in the region and the recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

In accordance with these important principles, the Royal Government has set 2023 as the date for the launch of the National Digital TV Nursery, requiring all private analog TV companies to use the Cambodian Digital TV Nursery service and continue to broadcast analog and digital systems simultaneously (simulcast) until the end of 2025 – the date chosen for the closure of analog television broadcasts.