Minister of Communications Fai Muambi announces new timeline for SA?s DTT migration

--

Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi announces new timeline for SA s DTT migration --

Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:09

--

The Ministry and Department of Communications plans to implement South Africa s migration from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT) over an 18-month period.

That s the word from Faith Muthambi, who was speaking to attendees of the Southern African Digital Broadcasting workshop.

Muthambi said South Africa is on track to ensure a successful migration with policies, standards, plans, and the DTT broadcasting network all in place.

Sentech has completed 84% geographic coverage, with the remaining 16% to be covered by satellite, said Muthambi. All 178 transmitters are in place and DTT head ends have also been configured.

The South African Bureau of Standards has approved the DTT SANS 862 DVB-T2 standard, and the DTT regulations from Icasa are also ready.

One outstanding item is the technical requirements of the controversial set-top box control system, with Muthmabi saying work to finalise the STB specifications is at an advanced stage. Our priority going forward will be to engage with the neighbouring countries for spectrum harmonisation.

Since South Africa is going to be missing the ITU-imposed deadline for migration (17 June 2015), there is a possibility there could be interference between our TV broadcast signals and those from neighbouring countries.

Muthambi said these countries are aware of the need to engage with South Africa. A harmonised effort is being executed. The Bilaterals will be completed before the deadline of 17 June 2015.

Related Articles

DoC to release final digital migration policyThe Department of Communications is set to publish the final Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) policy in the Government Gazette...

Read more...

Sentech selects Net Insight for DTT network contributionNet Insight has been selected by Sentech to deliver contribution services for its national DTT network...

Read more...

Kenya surpasses SA on STB rollout While South Africans continue to contend with uncertainties relating to the manufacturing and deployment of set-top-boxes (STBs), Kenya forges ahead with the first instalment of a clear three-phase rollout plan to ensure the country s digital switchover is reached by the deadline on 17 June 2015...

Read more...

Namibia has switched off analogue TVThe Namibian Broadcasting Corporation has introduced its first phase of switching off analogue viewing...

Read more...

Target: June 2015?As we kick off 2015, we find ourselves just five months away from the supposed deadline for Africa s complete switchover to digital terrestrial television...

Read more...

The future of African broadcasting Interesting times Africa s slow and troubled movement towards DTT and the looming June 2015 deadline for the completion of this migration, came under the spotlight at the 2014 edition of DISCOP Africa...

Read more...

DA scrutinises set-top-box tender A R4.3 billion rand deal for the provision and delivery of five million set-top-boxes has come under scrutiny by the DA, who claim that South African Government may have side-stepped the correct procedures and assessments in a rush to meet the country s digital migration deadline set for 17 June 2015, making the tender process illegitimate...

Read more...



-- --

-- --

-- Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. comments powered by Disqus

LINK:	http://www.screenafrica.com/page/news/satellite-and-signal-technology/...
	See more stories from screenafrica

Most recent headlines