Opposition slurs government over ‘disastrous’ digital television rollout

Politics parliamentTop News Opposition slurs government over ‘disastrous’ digital television rollout Tileorasi Disi Mixalis Relevant News Opposition slurs government over ‘disastrous’ digital television rollout 11 July 2026 Cyprus braces for 40°C heat with daily yellow warnings expected from Sunday 11 July 2026 Major disability benefit reform launched with €106 million funding boost and gradual expansion 11 July 2026 newsroom 11 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Democratic Rally (DISY) Government Monitoring Council has accused the government of four critical planning failures regarding the transition to the new digital television platform, putting forward five proposals to fix the crisis. In a statement signed by Michalis O. Ioannides, Coordinator for the Effectiveness Portfolio, the opposition council argued that the disruption was not a mere technical glitch but a failure of state planning and coordination that has left 110,000 vulnerable households paying the price. Ten days after the shutdown of the old digital television platform, thousands of households are still looking at “NO SIGNAL” screens. The council claimed that the Innovation Deputy Minister’s public admission that the scale of the problems was underestimated, combined with the decision to return to the old platform for parallel viewing, amounts to a confession of government failure. The council acknowledged that the upgrade to DVB-T2 is a necessary European obligation to free up spectrum for 5G networks, improve reception quality, and open new possibilities for free-to-air television. However, the opposition fiercely criticised the government’s execution method. The statement pointed out that Ireland spent two years preparing with targeted information campaigns for vulnerable groups, Germany utilised parallel viewing and a gradual transition over three and a half years, and the United Kingdom managed a phased five-year rollout backed by a state assistance scheme for equipment and communication. By contrast, the council said planning in Cyprus was virtually non-existent, featuring less than three months of parallel viewing, zero targeted subsidies, no information campaigns, and no plan to handle the estimated 460 tonnes of electronic waste. The tight transition window also triggered widespread price gouging. According to the council, the government made four critical mistakes: Mismanaging the scope: The state treated a major social transition as a purely technical issue. Roughly 25% to 30% of households—primarily the elderly, rural residents, and low-income families—rely on terrestrial antennas and were hit disproportionately. Failing to provide safety nets: The government failed to offer any subsidies or technical support for vulnerable groups. Acting reactively: The temporary rollback to obsolete equipment is an expensive panic reaction rather than a strategy. Lacking inter-ministerial coordination: The Innovation, Welfare, and Environment ministries operated as independent silos, leaving citizens to foot the bill. Despite these failures, the council urged the government to implement five immediate measures beyond the temporary platform reinstatement: Launch a single technical support and information helpline, establish an authorised technician network, and control price gouging. Introduce a targeted state aid scheme for equipment, network replacement, and information aimed at vulnerable groups, including minimum guaranteed income recipients, low-income pensioners, people with disabilities, and individuals aged 70 and over living alone. Initiate an immediate intervention by the Commission for the Protection of Competition (EPA) to investigate potential price-fixing for converters and home network upgrades. Publish the contract with the new provider and task the Auditor General with auditing the costs of temporarily bringing back the old platform. Conduct an independent audit of actual geographic signal coverage with a community-by-community map. The council concluded that no digital transition should be attempted without pilot testing, parallel operations, and direct support for vulnerable citizens during the final rollout stage. Ioannides warned that by leaving citizens behind, the government is creating a two-tier society and fostering public skepticism toward technological progress. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Cyprus braces for 40°C heat with daily yellow warnings expected from Sunday Major disability benefit reform launched with €106 million funding boost and gradual expansion Passenger pulled back inside Ryanair flight after engine debris shatters cabin window Landmark housing bill becomes US law automatically after Trump refuses to sign in protest President Christodoulides apologises on behalf of state for errors that led to deadly Mari blast WEEE Cyprus pushes for €1.3 million e-waste and medicine recycling plant in Dali Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman discharged from hospital after heart scare tests clear Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.