The response by the public to participate in digital television trials to be conducted by Multiplus was described as “overwhelming” by Multiplus officials. Registered expressions of interest via the company’s website www.multiplus.com.mt exceeded the 4,000 mark during the first week.

Multiplus is a licensed telecommunications operator and will be operating a wireless digital terrestrial television (DTTV) network providing digital TV for everyone in the near future.

Public trials are expected to start in the coming weeks and in this regard, Multiplus requested the public to register via its corporate website in order to be considered for these trials. “Although this number is way beyond what Multiplus required to start conducting trials, we are extremely grateful for the positive response we’ve received,” stated Multiplus CEO Jan Spiteri. “However, we would also like to point out that anyone who is not included in the trials will be first in line when our service is launched. Meanwhile, we

encourage all interested parties who have not yet registered to do so via our website www.multiplus.com.mt”.

Test sites are currently being selected and Multiplus will be informing all those who have been chosen by the end of this week. Test sites will be installed during the month of February. Each participant will be supplied with a Multiplus fully interactive set-top-box as well as a smartcard, and feedback will be requested by Multiplus on a weekly basis.

Multiplus are keen to emphasise the importance of purchasing the right set-top-box. People should be careful when choosing their set-top-box, as many basic set-top-boxes may not allow access to all the benefits that digital TV offers, ie enhanced TV services, interactive TV services, optional pay-TV and pay-per-view services. Multiplus will be using a high-end interactive (MHP) digital terrestrial (DVB-T) set-top-box. This has a built-in modem and can output digital Dolby surround. The set-top-box can receive all the free-to-air transmissions in the same way as any basic set-top-box.

In addition, its conditional access module allows access to optional pay TV and pay-per-view services. The built-in modem makes this set-top-box a fully-interactive one, giving viewers the option to access interactive applications should they wish. Multiplus will make this set-top-box available at an extremely competitive price. “We would like to make it clear that certain boxes currently being advertised are limited, over-priced and not compatible with Multiplus services”, stated Dr Spiteri.

As stated recently, Multiplus will guarantee extremely good value for money. “Our main objective is to make digital television available to everyone and we are sure that the packages that will be offered will cater to everyone’s tastes. In order to ensure this, the public is invited to send us suggestions regarding channels and packages via email address [email protected]” Dr Spiteri concluded.