Shanghai cable TV network operator OCN has announced the start of trial work on the overall conversion of digital television under a new pattern and a shift of the current analog system to digital system by 2010.

The conversion from analog system to digital system this time differs from that in the past. By referring to the experience of other cities, it is based on residential community as a unit and will directly promote the interactive set-top box machine and service at the same time.

OCN has chosen a residential community in Shanghai's Hongkou District as the trial location. After the conversion, people in the community will be able to watch 61 free digital programs and 41 paid programs.

Liu Jiuping, deputy general manager of OCN, says that interactive television service is one of the key focuses of this conversion. Liu says that Shanghai will formally start the overall conversion to digital television in 2007.