Government temporarily restores Velister platform to address digital television transition issues

The Cypriot Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy has announced the temporary reactivation of the Velister terrestrial digital television platform for a period of three months. This decision follows widespread technical difficulties experienced by citizens after the transition to the new DVB-T2 standard and the Hellas Sat platform. Deputy Minister Nikodimos Damianou admitted that the government underestimated the extent of the problems, particularly for households with older receiving equipment or faulty installations. During this transition period, viewers can retune their receivers to the original frequencies used before June 30. The ministry emphasized that the initiative is intended to facilitate a smoother transition rather than represent a permanent return to the old system. Authorities have also advised the public to report any cases of price gouging regarding the purchase of decoders or technical services. Meanwhile, opposition parties and media reports have criticized the lack of preparation and oversight regarding the rapid implementation of the new digital standard.