Team DailyPedia
As part of its efforts to develop digital initiatives in 2016, GMA Network Inc. will be introducing dongles instead of set-top boxes like the ones rival network ABS-CBN is offering.
Although GMA is a notch behind ABS-CBN’s network migration program, the network is setting its targets high. In fact, GMA president and chief executive Felipe L. Gozon said that the company will be focusing on digital business.
In an interview with Interaksyon in May 2015, Gozon said the company will be producing dongles which are cheaper than set-top boxes.
“Our dongle is as small as a [feature] phone. We invented it and we’ll have it patented. We still don’t have a partner for this, but it will definitely be cheaper than the set-top box,” Gozon said.
By 2020, the Philippines will be terminating its analog TV service according to the National Telecommunications Commission. The country is set to adapt the Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) standard of Japan in five years time.
Based on the migration plan, there will be a yearlong transition period when both the digital and analog transmissions will be utilized at the same time. Broadcasters are expected to double their expenses during the transition period.
