Nigeria’s readiness to complete the digital migration by 2015 will be debated at Digital Dialogue Nigeria 2012 in Lagos on Wednesday and Thursday.
The 2015 deadline to switch off the analogue signal was agreed to by all African countries with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in July 2006.
With just three years until the deadline, the organisers have decried the current level of awareness among the public.
“The forum, which will bring together digital broadcast experts from the country and abroad, in addition to leading lights in the Nigerian media and other opinion molders; hopes to expose Nigerians to the process and benefits of digital migrations,” a statement said.
Nigeria is not alone in Africa in struggling to raise awareness of the switchover. HumanIPO reported last week the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa appears no closer to setting itself a realistic deadline in completing the switchover.
On successful completion of the migration, it is expected that digital migration will offer Nigerians better TV viewing experience as a result of clearer pictures and better signals.
With digital migration there will be greater efficiency for spectrum use and it is also expected to boost the potentials of wireless innovation which will result in better convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting services in addition to other dividends of the nation’s economy.
