Clarification on DTT responsibilities

News

23 January 2008 News

The success of South Africa's migration to digital terrestrial television (DTT) is dictated by a number of factors and industry players. While Sentech says it is on track to meet deadlines, a multiparty, multifactor engagement can lead to market confusion, particularly on player responsibilities.

Clarifying its role, Frans Lindeque, executive digital services at Sentech commented, "Sentech is responsible for the upgrade and provisioning of the main signal distribution infrastructure for the DTT rollout. The project is driven by various phases of which the first two will be completed by March 2008. Digital switch-on is scheduled for 1 November 2008 and the switch off date for analog is set for 1 November 2011. Although Sentech is involved as a member of the DMWG (Digital Migration Work Group), it is however not responsible for the specification or the distribution of the set-top boxes (STB)."

Decisions on pricing, specifications, distribution, licensing and programming are made by parties such as the broadcasters, The Department of Communications, industry as well as ICASA.

Sentech also serves as a member of the STB advisory work group, which has made recommendations to government regarding the framework and technical specifications of the STBs.

Looking at the digital switch-on, the first phase will cover the country's main metropolitan areas while the second phase will ensure coverage of 80% of the population by 2010, enabling people to view the FIFA 2010 World Cup games in digital format.

The success of the digital migration process is also based on financial commitment by government. "We have received the necessary funding for the first two phases and are confident that further funds will be granted," says Lindeque. "However, Sentech will require additional operational funding during the three-year dual illumination period which will see analog and digital transmissions running at the same time, in order to allow viewers to acquire suitable digital receiving equipment."

Share this article:

Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.

Read more...

Tackling e-waste with help from international partners
News
Every year millions of electrical and electronic devices and appliances, including mobile phones and computers, are thrown away and these items are now the fastest growing waste stream in the world.

Read more...

From the editor's desk: Pricing surge reshapes engineering reality
Technews Publishing News
The recent and continuing surge in memory prices has become more than a supply-chain story confined to global semiconductor markets. We have watched in disbelief as the ASP of memory has risen by over ...

Read more...

Siemens democratises EDA software access
News
This collaboration will provide streamlined access to advanced electronic design automation software for European semiconductor innovation.

Read more...

Components distribution: A promising trend
News
The European electronic components market returned to solid growth in Q1, gaining 16,9%, with broad, but uneven, momentum across the region.

Read more...

Categories

News

Clarification on DTT responsibilities

Further reading:

Publications by Technews