China will introduce digital cable television in its cities nationwide starting this year after a successful three-year pilot program, an official with the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television said here on Wednesday.

Zhang Haitao, the Administration's vice-director, said at a national conference on cable TV that the time was ripe for China to popularize digital cable TV, as the country now has the technology and hardware following the three-year trial program.

The pilot program testing the switch from analog cable television to digital cable television in 49 areas since 2003.

By now, the upgrading to digital broadcasting in the cities of Qingdao, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Mianyang have been completed, while provinces and municipalities including Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangdong and Guangxi are completing their upgrade.

Statistics show that China has more than 120 pay television channels licensed by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, with over one million digital cable TV users.

The Administration proposed a timetable for the switch to digital TV last year, saying China will push forward digital TV broadcasts via satellite beginning this year, providing high-quality service to two thirds of the Chinese families who do not have access to cable television.

Viewers can receive digital cable TV programs by simply installing a digital set-top box, without upgrading cable circuits or their television sets.

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