South Africa’s plans of shifting to digital from analog Tv transmission will need more funding to facilitate smooth digital transition, according to Sentech.
Speaking at last week’s Select Committee for Labour and Public Enterprises, Sentech’s chief Setumo Mohapo said the company will need an additional R213 million (about US$28,000,000) to avoid charging broadcasters for transmitting their digital TV signal.
Mohapo explained that the extension duration of the switch off campaign, from 2011-2013 and now to 2015, as the main reason of increase in the cost.
During the dual illumination period, the TV signal is transmitted in both analog and digital, he said.
Mohapo asked the government to increase funding to cover for costs during 2014 and 2015 dual illumination period.
Department of Communications (DOC) deputy director general Themba Phiri confirmed that the company had been allocated R1.8 billion (about US$ 217,000,000) for the country’s digital terrestrial television spread out and dual illumination.
Phiri criticised the nations move of targeting digital migration duration of November 2008 to November 2011 as unrealistic and said 2013 would be impossible .
In Africa, Kenya would be the first country to switch off the analog to digital TV signals if the 2012 deal goes through.
In January 2007, President Kibaki officially launched analog to digital Tv migration targeting 2012 as the deadline to comply with the International Telecommunication Union Regional Radio communications Conference (RRC-06) 2015 deadline.
He further asked the Ministry of Finance to partner with Ministry of Information and Communications to offer tax exemption on set top boxes to make it more affordable.
According to the president, digital televisions will offer superior image and sound clarity in the broadcasting arena.
From November 2008, Sentech has been transmitting both analogue and digital signal and has vowed to continue so until analog signal is paralyzed.
Sentech was established in 1992 to provide signals transmission on behalf of the South African Department of Communications. Currently, the company operates as a commercial enterprise. It offers services to Radio 702, M-Net, Radio Transkei ,Radio Ciskei and the Bophuthatswana Broadcasting Corporation.
