Department of Communications appeals set top box court decision

The Department of Communications has decided to appeal the court decision to grant e.tv, SABC, and free-to-air broadcasters control of the conditional access in the State-sponsored set-top boxes. The decision was taken after considering the implications of the judgment on other broadcasters, particularly potential broadcasters, in line with the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy. The appeal will be lodged today, 14 January 2013. The Department is also consulting with existing broadcasters and Icasa on the role of each party in the implementation of the conditional access as per the court judgment.