Digital TV: set-top boxes a 'waste of money'

M-Net believes South Africa would be far better off scrapping plans to build pricey set-top boxes for digital terrestrial television (DTT) and instead should use the money in other ways.

By Duncan McLeod: @mcleodd

10 Oct 2011

Karen Willenberg, the broadcaster's director of legal and regulatory affairs, says instead the country should consider the use of much cheaper "digital converters" - these cost R350 or less - rather than investing in complex set-top box technology she believes isn't necessary and could hold up further the already long-delayed digital migration process.

Rather, Willenberg says the country should move quickly to ensure the biggest benefit of migration - the freeing up of scarce radio frequency spectrum for telecommunications operators - is realised as soon as possible.

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Source: TechCentral

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Duncan McLeod

About Duncan McLeod: @mcleodd

Award-wining Duncan McLeod is the founder and editor of TechCentral (wwwTechCentral.co.za, @TechCentral]]), South Africa's latest technology news site offering breaking news, in-depth analysis and opinion that launched in September 2009. Before that, he was associate editor at the Financial Mail/FM. Contact Duncan on email duncan at techcentral dot co dot za and follow him on Twitter at @mcleodd.