Walvis Bay - The High Court’s ruling to dismiss an application by etv over set top box (STB) encryption has reaffirmed government’s commitment to roll out STB’s in the coming 18 to 24 months in preparation to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting system, says Communications Minister Faith Muthambi.
“The North Gauteng High Court ruling earlier this morning gives us an opportunity to go ahead with our digital migration process without being worried that our plan to roll-out STBs in the next 18-24 months will be delayed.
“We want to assure our television viewers that we will make Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) a reality. We have no choice but to deliver it, that’s our mandate,” she said.
Earlier this year, Cabinet approved the final amendments to the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy which paved the way for the implementation of digital migration. Cabinet further approved that government should provide free set-top-boxes to the five million households who cannot afford to buy the STBs.
The STBs will convert analogue broadcasting signals into digital ones.
The etv channel had turned to the courts, questioning the Minister’s decision to amend the Broadcasting Digital Migration policy, saying it was not in the best interest of free-to-air broadcasters.
It wanted an amendment to the provision that says the control system will not be mandatory.
The etv channel further wanted the court to set aside a provision in the policy that says government-subsidised STBs will not have the capability to encrypt broadcast signals.
Bilateral engagements in Namibia
Minister Muthambi spoke to SAnews at the conclusion of bilateral engagements on cross border radio frequency spectrum interference with Namibian Information and Communication Technology Minister Tjekero Tweya in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
The Minister has been visiting neighbouring countries and has signed agreements of cooperation with countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique. The purpose of these agreements is to harmonise the utilisation of radio frequency spectrum as the countries undergo the digital migration to ensure that there will be no interference.
“A meeting of this nature, triggered by the Digital Migration Programme, provides an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship that exists between the two countries.
“This engagement is a milestone for us dictated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to engage on bilateral talks to harmonise frequency spectrum interference which South Africa and Namibia have achieved today.
“It is encouraging to learn about the developments and progress realised by Namibia so far regarding the implementation of Digital Migration Programme,” she said.
Minister Muthambi used the platform to thank the government of Namibia for being at the forefront of DTT implementation. “This achievement tells me that Africa has capacity and is capable to deliver.”
“Namibia’s achievement calls for continuous invitations for South Africa to learn about the political, social and economic benefits. Namibia is reaping the benefits of the implementation of this programme.”
The minister said the programme did not only impact on the television services, but there was an impact on the electronic manufacturing industry development and broadcasting content development.
“We do not have a choice but to create sustainable economies in SADC with broadcasting services as key contributors,” she said.
Minister Muthambi said her and Minister Tweya had the challenge of ensuring the development of these creative and innovative industries to safeguard the growth of content in SADC.
“During and after the implementation process, the region will have good stories to tell about the common values we share, our commitment to sustainable economic agendas and the capacity we have built out of these discussions.”
The Minister thanked the Namibian government for the successful engagement. “This is a marathon we all have to win - holding hands together towards realising the social and economic benefits for the better lives of our people,” she said.
Minister Tweya said the country was excited to reaffirm its relations with South Africa through such bilateral engagements.
“We also want to tell our neighbours that the first step towards the successful implementation of digital migration is a television consumer awareness campaign. This give leaders an opportunity to directly interact with the people.”
Namibia’s first ever DTT transmitter was switched on for trial purposes in September last year in Klein Windhoek, a gap filler site in Windhoek. The DTT transmission standard selected by Namibia is DVB-T2 with MPEG-4 compression.
Once Namibia switches off the analogue signal in March 2016, 65 DTT transmitters will provide coverage for 80% of the country, while the South African government will provide free STBs to five million poor tv-owning households.
Following the conclusion of bilateral engagements with Namibia, interference in South Africa is expected to be very low.
Later this evening, Minister Muthambi will participate in the meeting of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Communications, Information Communications and Technology (ICT) and Postal Ministers in Walvis Bay. - SAnews.gov.za
