The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has extensively been consulting members of the public and stakeholders on the migration from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT). The consultative process culminated in the publication of the regulations on 3 July 2009, which formed the basis on which the country would implement the migration from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
Of importance is also the fact that the government of the Republic of South Africa has decided that the dual illumination period-the period within which both the analogue and digital televisions will run simultaneously will be undertaken within a period of three years commencing 1 November 2008 and ending 1 November 2011.
The authority has also issued various tests and trial licences to various stakeholders with a view to enable them to prepare their readiness towards the migration to digital television broadcasting. The authority intends to ensure that the digital migration process is undertaken with minimal disruptions of any form. Various stakeholders have indicated a desire to make further input on the DTT regulations and the Authority has given due considerations to such requests.
Further, the authority has considered the fact that, entangling the digital migration process in a litigation process whose timeframes and outcomes are not within the authority’s control, is not to the benefit of the public. The authority believes that the benefit of reopening a further and last round of a public consultative process far outweighs the litigation route as outlined above.
The authority has thus decided to reopen the consultative process for the last time with a view to afford members of the public and interested persons to submit written comments or written representations with regard to the DTT regulations. The comments are to be received by no later than 16h00 on 2 October 2009 by post, hand delivery or electronically (in Microsoft word) and marked specifically attention:
Refilwe Ramatlo
Block A, Pinmill Farm, 164 Katherine Street, Sandton
Further enquiries:
Refilwe Ramatlo
Tel: 011 566 3251
Fax to e-mail: 011 566-3252
E-mail: Rramatlo@icasa.org.za or Hmashapha@icasa.org.za
All media enquiries should be directed to:
Sekgoela Sekgoela
Tel: 011 566 3455
Cell: 079 492 3450
E-mail: ssekgoela@icasa.org.za
Issued by: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa
7 September 2009
Source: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (http://www.icasa.org.za/)
