A Viet Nam-Japan policy dialogue on information and communications technology (ICT) took place in Ha Noi on January 16, with a focus on television digitalisation and next-generation broadcasting services (4k, 8k, smart TV).

Illustrative image (Photo:VNA)

Japanese Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yasuo Sakamoto, in his address, said smart television is designed to connect with smart phones and Internet, providing online interactive media and over-the-top content up to the latest technical and safety standards.

Currently, over 100 firms are joining in perfecting smart TV technology in Japan, he said.

When it comes to the digitalisation of television broadcasting, he said it took up to 10 years in Japan and required coordination with central and local television stations.

The vice minister proposed that the Vietnamese Ministryof Information and Communications cooperate with the Japanese side to organize a workshop on smart television in Viet Nam in March.

Participants shared the view that 4k and 8k format not only gives ultra high-definition images but helps in health care, advertising and crime prevention also.

Japan is due to launch trial 4k and 8k broadcasting services in 2016, towards offering full services to audiences by 2018. By 2020, the rate of 4k subscription is projected at over 52 percent.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Hung asked units concerned to prepare for the seminar as proposed by the Japanese side.

He expressed hope that Vietnamese people will benefit from such technology soon.

The event was co-hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications and the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.