China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has formally approved Yunnan Province in southwest China to start the conversion from analog signals to produce digital programs.

A representative from Yunnan Digital TV Company says that the whole conversion will be completed in three periods.

In the first period that lasts from July 2005 to 2006, there will be trial use among 300,000 users in Kunming, Qujing, Yuxi and Wenshan Zhuang Autonomous Region.

During the second period from 2006 to 2012, it will be popularized and promoted among 5 million users in the province.

And in the last period from 2013 to 2015, it will be brought to all townships and villages in the province.

At present, Yunnan Digital TV Company is introducing paid programs from domestic program integrators, including Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and China DTV Media.