20 October 2006
The Department of Communications has concluded a plenary of the Digital
Migration Working Group today, which took place at the Sheraton Hotel in
Pretoria over two days.
The Digital Migration Working Group Plenary was attended by representatives
from Government, the private sector, community media organisations and
commercial broadcasters, industry players, labour, the Regulator, and
interested members of the public and international experts.
The group comprises four committees that are respectively responsible for
Content, Technical, Economics, and Policy aspects of a successful migration
process from analogue broadcasting networks to digital platforms. Chairpersons
of the four committees presented their committee reports, with recommendations
to the plenary.
Among the issues discussed were affordability and accessibility of Set-Top
Boxes, which will enable television sets to receive digital frequencies, thus
increasing digital television adoption in the country. The plenary also
discussed the time frames for the digital migration switch-over plan, as well
as the plan for efficient use of freed up spectrum after the switch-over
process.
The Working Group has advised the Department of Communications to ensure
that Digital Radio transmission networks are also planned for as part of the
broader Digital Migration Strategy of the country. The Department was also
advised to find ways of addressing the Information and Communications
Technologies (ICT) skills shortage, which will be needed when the country
starts the rollout of ICT infrastructure for the migration process.
The working group has agreed to finalise their report of recommendations and
present it to the Minister of Communications, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, before
the end of November 2006. Initially, the report was expected to be ready for
the Minister in October.
Enquiries:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
Richard Mantu
Cell: 072 488 1520
Issued by: Department of Communications
20 October 2006
