Maximise use of central aerials in public housing blocks

Most older Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and private apartments have both a central terrestrial aerial and cabled antenna points in their units. Newer flats probably have only the latter. Sadly, more than 20 years after Singapore decided to go with cable television, many of the central aerials in HDB blocks are no longer in good working order.

It would make sense, however, to not waste resources and to use the existing network to receive digital signals, since those flats already have the internal cabling. Households then need not buy an indoor aerial for every TV set and could also receive FM radio broadcasts with the central aerial.

Even households with a pay TV subscription would benefit from using a central aerial for FM broadcasts and additional TV sets at home.

The Media Development Authority should work with the HDB, town councils and management corporations to make good of these central aerials. For the greater good, the authority should also assist in converting cabled antenna points in newer blocks of flats to use a central aerial, if that is possible.