DNA Gets Two HDTV Licenses
Image: YLE
Mobile phone operator DNA has been granted two licenses to start test transmissions of terrestrial High Definition Television broadcasts. The company plans to start building an HDTV network this year.
The licenses are for a seven year period. The planned network for HDTV transmissions will provide coverage mainly for larger towns and cities in southern parts of the country, but also to Jyväskylä, Kuopio and Oulu.
The two licenses that were on offer by the government were also sought by Telemast Nordic and Digita. At present, Digita, which spun off from YLE as a separate commercial enterprise, is the only terrestrial television network operator in Finland.
The awarding of the licenses to DNA is in part intended to promote broadcast competition. In addition to mobile telephone services, DNA also operates cable and pay-TV services.
YLE