DoC to release final digital migration policy

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DoC to release final digital migration policy --

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 09:08

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The Department of Communications (DoC) is set to publish the final Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) policy in the Government Gazette after presenting South Africas state of readiness for digital migration to a Joint Portfolio Committee on Communication and Telecommunications and Postal Services in parliament on 10 March.

The new policy seeks to clarify the use a control system in set-top-boxes (STBs) that will enable households to switch from analogue to digital broadcast signals.

Recently, cabinet approved the Broadcast Digital Amendment Policy which makes provision for the inclusion of a control system in STBs and endorsed commencement of the countrys digital migration.

The Departments acting director-general Donald Liphoko attributed the delay in digital migration to disagreements about the use of a control system in STBs, which some free-to-air broadcasters had suggested it would negatively impact on their content.

Solly Mokoetle, DTT programme head said, Our responsibility is to protect the STB that government is making an investment in. The issues beyond the box or the encryption of the signal is not our domain. Those who want to encrypt the signal or content so that they give rights to watch certain programmes can do that and they can make their investment in that area

Sentech is almost ready to distribute a digital signal while the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is gearing up to provide universal service coverage and new channels. While the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) finalises new DTT regulations, the South African Post Office (SAPO) is expected to implement plans to distribute the STBs. The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) is finalising the criteria of TV households that will benefit from governments 100-percent-subsidised STBs.

Together with the GCIS, entities and stakeholders alike will embark on a country- wide public awareness campaign on digital migration to ensure that South Africans switch to digital.

Liphoko added, The post office has presence in every community of the country and this will help us with the distribution of STBs. We will also be assisted by GCIS as it already has established provincial distribution centres throughout the country.

All television owning households that rely on the old analogue signal will require STBs or decoders to receive digital television.

The Minister of Communication Faith Muthambi, in consultation with cabinet will determine the digital signal switch-on and analogue signal switch-off dates, which will be announced soon.

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