Ghana Issues Free To Air DTT Receiver Minimum Requirements For Comment

Minimum Requirements For Receivers Of Free To Air Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) In Ghana
INVITATION FOR COMMENT

1. The NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (“AUTHORITY”) is carrying out a transition of television broadcasting services in the frequency bands 174-230 MHz and 470-862 MHz from analogue to digital technology.

2. Digital terrestrial television (DTT) offers improved spectrum efficiency compared to analogue TV. It also offers enhanced video and audio quality, interactivity, as well as increased programme choices.

3. The Authority intends to publish standards for digital terrestrial television receivers (set-top boxes, integrated digital television sets, etc) to ensure that, all DTT receivers sold on the Ghanaian market conform to the minimum receiver standard.

4. The Authority shall upon publication of the minimum receiver standard, define a conformance regime and shall require all STBs and integrated digital TV sets sold in Ghana to pass a conformance test to be certified.

5. In pursuance of the Authority’s mandate under section 27 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775 and Section 4.1 of the National Telecommunications Policy 2005 (NTP’05), the Authority hereby invites views and comments from Existing and Prospective Broadcasting industry players; consumers of broadcasting and communications services and the General Public on the Draft Minimum Requirements for FTA Digital Television Receivers.

6. The Draft Minimum Requirements for FTA Digital Television Receivers can be accessed on the Authority’s website.

7. The public consultation begins with immediate effect and shall expire on 5pm on 25th May, 2012.

8. All responses/comments should be electronically transmitted as e-mail attachments, in Microsoft Word format to secretariat.dbmc@nca.org.gh.

Issued by Director General
National Communications Authority