The development follows a special purpose programme for digital TV prgramme approved by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in late 2009. Under this, the introduction of digital TV across Russia should be completed in 2015. The federal special purpose programme for digital TV development involves five multiplexes requiring an anticipated investment of 122.445bn руб (US$3.15), including 76.366bn руб (US$2.58bn) that will be drawn from the federal budget.

According to an announcement made by Communications and Mass Media Minister Igor Shchyogolev, the first multiplex is expected to cover 41 regions with a population of 43m, of Russia’s total population of142m.

Shchyogolev also pointed to domestically-produced equipment, which he claims will represent 88 per cent of all equipment for the digital TV network. Russian manufacturers can make 90 per cent of digital TV decoders and 80 per cent of digital TV receivers required for the promotion of digital TV in the country, Mr Shchyogolev said, adding that at present, more than 75 per cent of TV sets produced in Russia can receive TV channels in the digital format.

Investment in digital TV development from the federal budget in 2010 amounted to 2.562bn руб (US$86.5m), with other sources providing about 3bn руб (US$101m).