The Lee Myung-bak government announced that there will be a change in
national broadcast systems. The government has mandated that national
stations like KBS, MBC, and SBS must switchover to digital broadcasting
by 2012. This mandate is based on the 'Special Law of Switchover to Digital TV
of Terrestrial TV.' The main content of the law dictates that analog TV systems
must switch to a digital format. One of the effects of this policy is that jobs will be
created. Therefore, policies dealing with this service will have a great effect on
the nation. However, we found a gap between the policies involved and the reality
of the situation. The government publicizes that digital service will be more cost
efficient for the consumers. However, they are insufficient support policies for low
income groups. Furthermore, there are problems related to legislation and issues
with electronics companies. This article will focus on criticism of poorly planned
policies and deals with the direction of this policy in the future.Observer
Significant Issues Dealing with the Digital
Switchover
'Digital switchover' refers to broadcast systems
changing to high definition and sound quality TV. This
process is also referred to as digitalization. The main
proponents of this process, are the government and
DTV Korea, which is part of the Korea Communication
commission. Digital TV provides picture definition and
sound quality that is 7 times clearer than analog TV.
Another significant change brought on by the digital
switchover is that broadcast companies will be able to
manage their frequency more efficiently. For example,
they will provide broadcasting public service
information and two-way services. TV is one of the main
sources of information for the general public.
Broadcasting companies will have a greater influence
and opinion shaping power with this system. This
process will also require many improvements in
infrastructure which will create jobs. Once all of the
work is finished, the Korea Communications
Commission executive committee will have enough
frequency(108 MHz) to deliver better broadcast.
Even with all of the potential benefits that could come
from this switchover, awareness of the relevant facts
dealing with it is greatly lacking. Only 16.3 percent of
citizens who responded to a survey were aware of the
fact that the switchover will be finished in the first half
of 2010. These results show that the general public in
Korea is not well informed. In contrast, in Japan which
is scheduled to complete its switchover by July 2011,
97.7 percent of the public is aware of and has accepted
digitalization. In the U.K over 90 percent over the public
is aware and supports the digital switchover. The
success the UK and Japan has had in keeping their
citizens informed about the benefits of digitalization
proves that it is possible, and the government must
make a greater effort to inform and gain the support of
the public.
There are two ways to switchover from analog TV. One
way is to install a digital converter. Most converters cost
from 70,000 won to 100,000 won. The other way is to buy
a digital TV. Digital TVs can be bought for as little as
300,000 won. The cost is low because these TVs were
produced to help low income groups. This situation is
similar to the switchover to color televisions from blackand-
white TVs in the past. The world has started to
recognize the inefficiency of analog broadcast systems,
therefore most developed countries are either already
finished with digitalization or are in the process of
finishing it.
Policies
Public relations must receive greater attention in
order to gain the support of the people. The government
has not effectively publicized many of the benefits of
digitalization such as the low cost of the systems. They
have mainly focused on the merits of the switchover
work. Due to the government’s poor publicity people
can become confused. The government has to explain
the reasons why they are trying to expand the digital
switchover work.
The lack of publicity can be traced back to a cut in the
budget for public relations. The original support budget
was set at 14 billion won, but it was cut to 2.5 billion
won because of the Four River Restoration Project and
the financial crisis. Compared to Japan, Korea’s support
for low income classes is not sufficient. Japan provides
low income groups with 12,400,000,000 won. Korea had
also prepared a support program, but the Ministry of
Strategy and Finance decided to provide for the lowest
income groups only. Under the current program the
ministry will give assistance to 810,000 people. The
ministry has prepared a total budget of 60,800,000,000
won for this purpose. The government has entrusted
the Korea Communications Commission to run the
program. Therefore, the Commission has prepared
220,800,000,000 won separately from the ministry. This
budget includes providing low income groups with
coupons. Once the people have the coupons, they can
go to appliance stores that sell digital converters. The
government will give 100 thousand won to people who
don’t have digital converter coupons. Even though these
funds are provided by the government, it is not enough
to buy a new digital TV. Another difficulty is that senior
citizens who live alone usually are not familiar with
social activities, and they have difficulties understanding
digitalization. Therefore, the government and private
organizations need to publicize the installation process.
There are also some legislative problems. According
to 'the Special Law of Switchover to Digital TV', KBS can
raise TV licensing fees related to industry costs. Based
on the special law, licensing fees can be raised from
2000 to 4,500 won. There are many people who oppose
the special law and are fighting against it.
Licensing fees have been a controversial issue for a
long time in Korea.
Another problem directly impacts electronics
companies. The companies have to join DTV Korea and
pay fees in order to sell their products. However, no
companies have joined DTV Korea because if companies
join, they have to cover conversion costs. Companies are
concerned that if they join and are forced to pay
conversion costs it could eat into their profits by raising
the cost to make appliances. These companies
shouldn’t only consider their own benefit. They need to
strive to enhance digital switchover work by 2012. The
companies should provide cheaper general TVs to the
public help with the switchover process.
One of the final issues affecting the digital switchover
deals with some misinformation that is being put out by
the cable broadcasting companies. They cable
companies have falsely publicized their role in
digitalization, as well as misrepresented what is
required to comply with the digital switchover.
Community antennas are only necessary for
apartments and one is sufficient for the entire building.
Some of the information being put out by the cable
companies suggests that a community antenna is
necessary for everyone. The cable companies are also
using their position in the switchover to take the
opportunity to raise licensing fees.
Interview
With Young-Joon Lee, KBS PD
Q) What is the significance of the digital switchover work in
Korea?
A) The Lee Myung-bak government, Korea Communication
Commission, KBS, SBS and MBC broadcasters strive to
successfully complete digitalization work by December
31st 2012. This work is based on the Special Law of
Switchover to Digital TV. This work can offer improved
definition, a greater variety of channels, and
communications in Dolby surround. It is the opening of the
age of interactive TV.
Q) The cost of the programs related to this work for low
income groups is very high. Is it really necessary to do all
of the work, or is it really just for the benefit of big
companies?
A) The digital switchover is national work. The U.S.A carried
out this work in 2009, and the U.K, Japan, and Europe are
implementing digital work as a national service. In the
rapid age of communications and broadcasting, analog
systems are outdated. From the view point of broadcasters,
work related to digitalization is a government project, and
the government will spend one trillion won to change
facilities and equipment. Therefore, it has nothing to do
with the profits of companies.
Q) Since people don’t know much about digital work, are
there concrete plans for improving publicity?
A) The government’s publicity efforts have focused on
demonstration locations such as Uljin, but the commission
and government have plans for genuine public relations in
2011. Because of these efforts, people will know a great
deal more about digital switchover work. Broadcast
systems also broadcast and publicize information about the
digital switchover.
Q) What do you think about the impact of the problems
associated with TV licensing fees?
A) Licensing fees in Korea are very low compared with
other similar countries. Even with the proposed increase in
licensing fees they will still be reasonable in comparison to
fees charged in other countries. The licensing fees charged
by KBS are based on broadcasting laws, so it is mandatory
for people with receivers to pay it.
Exhibition Area Uljin
Uljin is an exhibition area for the digital switchover
work. Uljin is the first digital switchover area in Korea.
The exhibition period was orignally from August 8th, to
August 31st, 2010. However, Uljin extended the period by
about a month. The Uljin County Office carfully explained
complex machinery like converters and digital televisions
to elderly people. They also installed converters in the
homes of disabled people. The county office also provided
a subsidy of about 100,000 won to lower-income groups
instead of offering converters which helped to supply
digital TV. This sounds great, but the United States’
subsidy was equivalent to about 400,000 won per person.
Uljin rented converters to residents for three years and
only asked for one year’s deposit. Households which are
not able to afford a digital converter will be given a
converter. The results of the exhibition showed us many
shortcomings of the national digital switchover. The
biggest problem is that the committee and the
government did not effectively inform the public; however,
they also didn't prepare some converters. This problem
can highlight how the people and government
organizations don’t communicate.
There are about two years left until analog TV systems
are a thing of the past. However, it is not a long time
because of the various problems that exist. For
example, supporting low income groups, disinterest in
digital switchover work, complex laws, and TV licensing
fees. The most important issue to deal with is the
problems faced by low income groups. The government
should provide educational programs as well as
material assistance. For instance, local governments
have to educate low income people and seniors which
will help them to adapt to the digital switchover work.
Many problems can be solved by more harmonious
cooperation.
