Dielectric has opted to build out its Central America and Latin America channel market by appointing Mach Electronics to address the needs of TV and radio broadcasters throughout Argentina.
Mach Electronics is a supplier and integrator for broadcast, broadband and telecom systems throughout the country, with a network of distribution partners across a country that placed a high tariff on imports more than 20 years ago, leading to economic disruption in a country with rich local media needs.
In broadcast, Mach Electronics specializes in the design, integration and commissioning of complete headend and delivery systems for over-the-air TV and FM content.
Nicolas Jose Bloise, President and CEO for Mach Electronics, says that the Dielectric partnership has been established at a time of substantial change and opportunity for Argentinian broadcasters. This includes the impending analog TV sunset and a potential extension of the crowded FM band, similar to the Brazilian initiative that began several years ago.
“The analog blackout, which was recently postponed until June 2025, will drive the future of broadcasting in Argentina,” said Juan Carlos Ruiz, Sales Executive for Mach Electronics. “Broadcasters are now working through their plans to minimize disruption to services as they prepare to shut off analog service and transition to ISDB-Tb digital services. A lot of these TV systems will be low-power, and Dielectric’s Powerlite family of antenna systems will help us strategically plan and efficiently deploy complex ISDB-Tb delivery systems that can include many low-power transmission points.”
On the FM side, Nicolas Jose Bloise notes that Argentina is ripe for an FM band expansion. The Mach Electronics team has experience to lean on, given its work in Brazil helping customers transition from AM to FM frequencies. Discussions about potential government regulations to expand the FM band to include 76 MHz to 88 MHz frequencies are currently underway; the band is commonly used in Japan but not in most Western countries, where DAB+ is now supplanting traditional FM band consumption.
“While nothing is official yet, we see encouraging signs that such regulations will pass,” he said. “There is also an opportunity to upgrade very old FM infrastructure for broadcasters that will continue to operate in the current FM band. In both cases, there is exceptional opportunity for Dielectric and Mach Electronics to develop new business together.”
Daniel Bizet, Dielectric’s International Business Manager, was previously familiar with Mach Electronics having worked extensively throughout the CALA region, where Mach Electronics also has a presence in Bolivia, Brazil , Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. He believes that the company’s extensive reach and strong technical expertise will quickly strengthen Dielectric’s brand recognition and visibility throughout Argentina.
“Argentina is a very large country with unique business challenges that Mach Electronics understands how to properly navigate,” said Bizet. “Their field service team is impressive, and when it comes to RF systems they understand how to plan broadcast networks and antenna coverage patterns that reach the widest audiences possible. They also understand the very sensitive nature of RF performance, from monitoring transmission lines to measuring reflected power levels – and making adjustments throughout the RF chain that optimize over-the-air delivery. We look forward to their contributions and will work closely with them as a partner to ensure success.”
— With reporting by Brian Galante, in Boston
