Digital migration to improve service delivery

The BDM is a process of converting the broadcast of television broadcasting signals from analogue to digital technology.

The migration was made necessary by the developments in telecommunications technologies which enable a more efficient use of radio frequency spectrum as well as better quality pictures and sound.

In order to receive the digital signal on current analogue TV sets, households will need to purchase STBs that convert the digital signal into analogue signal.

In 2006, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) made a decision that all countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Iran must migrate to digital broadcasting by 2015.

Speed up service delivery

Speaking to BuaNews, Shope-Mafole explained South Africa is implementing the migration process ahead of the 2015 deadline in order to speed up service delivery, and protect the country from developed nations dumping their older analogue TV sets.

The STB will be interactive and will allow for target broadcasting. There will be a remote that comes with the box which allows one to interact with a department via messaging.

The BDM process was approved by Cabinet on 6 August 2008, ushering in the establishment of an appropriate broadcasting environment and a three-year dual illumination period until November 2011.

In February 2007, Cabinet approved that the digital signal be switched-on on 1 November 2008, and the analogue signal be switched-off on 1 November 2011.

This allows both the digital and the analogue signal to be broadcast concurrently for the period of three years, which will be the dual-illumination period.

As part of Government's Scheme-for-Ownership-Support (SOS) of STBs for the poorest of the poor, government will be subsidising 70% of the expected R700 cost of the STB.

Advantages outweigh cost

Minister of Communications Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri said advantages of the software of the STB far outweighs the estimated cost of the technology in terms of access to more channels, including focused educational channels, and direct access to government services and information.

Users would not have had access to the e-government function of the STB on the R400 STB.

The director general agreed, saying that when one considers the R700 for the STB versus the features and services available to the user - the advantages are definitely worth the money.

Shope-Mafole said the first STBs will be available to the South African public by in mid-2009.

All STBs will be built to certain standards laid down by the South African Bureau of Standards. There are currently six companies that will be manufacturing them.

Speaking on Monday at the Union Buildings, Minister of Trade and Industry, Mandisi Mpahlwa said progress has been made in implementing the infrastructure for the BDM.

Progress in cable deployment

He said the progress in deploying the submarine cables had also been noted by Cabinet.

Broadband infrastructure company, Infraco, has reserved manufacturing slots with suppliers for the African West Coast Cable.

The main objective of the cable is to ensure the sufficient supply of broadband and connectivity with the European markets it also makes connectivity through Africa much easier and at reduced cost.

“On UHURUnet agreements have been reached with Nigeria and discussions are underway in Kenya to finalise implementation plans. Guidelines on the rapid deployment of electronic communication network facilities have been gazetted and comments are being incorporated.

“This work will inform policy directives around the issue of balancing investment into South Africa and Africa network infrastructure and ensuring that national security concerns are catered for,” said Mpahlwa.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews.