South Africa's analogue switch-off moves out to 2013

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has issued new Digital Migration Regulations. The new regulations update the schedule for digital terrestrial TV (DTT) roll-out in the country.

The new plans include a three year period of “dual illumination”, where both analogue and digital services are broadcast simultaneously, before analogue switch-off. ICASA will give 60 days notice before the start of this period.

This means that switch-off in South Africa will not occur before April 2013 assuming that the 60-day notice is given this month. This represents a further slippage from the target of April 2012 set by ICASA, which itself was a delay from the original November 1st, 2011 deadline set by South Africa’s Cabinet.

More:
• Digital Migration Regulations
• Reasons Document on Digital Migration