Andrew Murray-Watson In Havana.
The Scotsman Online, June 19, 2001.
BBC Technology, one of the corporation’s three commercial divisions, is
close to signing a groundbreaking deal to digitalise Cuba’s ageing
broadcast infrastructure.
The deal will see BBC technicians and engineers working in Cuba to help the
country’s broadcasters face up to the challenges of rapidly evolving
technology. Representatives from BBC Technology, which is run on a profit-making
basis and not with licence payers’ money, are in Havana to meet with Cuban
officials as part of a UK trade mission.
The company has been in talks with Cuban authorities since the middle of
last year, and it is understood that a deal will be concluded shortly.
Cuba, like other countries, is preparing for the widespread switch-off of
analogue signals. In the UK, the government is aiming to make the transition to
digital in 2006.
Edward Zawisza, regional sales manager for BBC Technology, said: "We
have the knowledge of implementing digital technology. The Cubans have a
shopping list of what we can offer, and we hope that we can assist them in
developing digital programming."
Initially, BBC Technology is aiming to sign a deal to upgrade the archives
of the Cuban state broadcaster, ICRT. But, Zawisza added that BBC Technology was
meeting with the Cuban minister for information and technology, with a view to
building a digital network linking the country’s post offices.
It is understood the deal could have a combined value of several million
dollars.
BBC Technology, alongside BBC Worldwide and BBC Resources, represents a
concerted attempt by director general Greg Dyke to further exploit the
corporation’s wealth of expertise.
BBC Technology’s turnover this year is expected to be £185
million. All profits will be ploughed back into programming. Some of the company’s
other customers include BSkyB and Telewest. | 
