The Government gave the go-ahead to launch the third stage of the process of providing digital converter boxes to socially disadvantaged families that benefit from social assistance. The stage will last from April 15 until May 20. The necessary number of analog-to-digital converters will be decided based on the applications submitted by families to the social community worker, IPN reports.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, the provision of free digital converter boxes to deprived families will be managed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development in concert with local social assistance offices and with the methodological support of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

The digital switchover is to be completed on May 1, 2022.

With these converters, the beneficiaries will be able to receive more TV channels than in an analog format.

A sum of 4.5 million lei was earmarked in the 2022 state budget law for implementing the third stage of the process of providing converter boxes. About 10,000 boxes are to be bought with this money.