South Africa to switch-off analogue TV on March 31st
Monday, February 28th, 2022Communications and Digital Technologies on final date for analogue switch-off
In 2006, South Africa acceded to the ITU Regional Agreement in Geneva (GE06) that determined that Region 1 countries must migrate from Analogue Television to Digital Television by the 17th of June 2015. To this effect, South Africa is on a journey of migrating Television services from Analogue to Digital. We developed the Broadcast Digital Migration (BDM) Policy, Established the DTT Migration Regulations, and modernized the Television distribution technology to ensure readiness for the Digital Migration process.
The President of South Africa announced during the 2021 State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the country will cease to broadcast analogue services on the 31st of March 2022. We have successfully achieved to provide digital signal coverage for Broadcasters to enable DTT migration in South Africa. Secondly the Government of South Africa is supporting indigent households to migrate from Analogue to Digital.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, has therefore in terms of paragraph 3.3.1 of the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy published in Government Notice No. 958, Government Gazette No. 31408 of 08 September 2008, as amended, determined the 31st of March 2022 as the date for the final switch-off of the analogue signal and the end of dual illumination in South Africa.
She has also considered conditions for the end of dual illumination period as per ICASA Digital Migration Regulations published in Government Gazette No. 36000 of 14 December 2012, and satisfied herself that the conditions as per the Regulations have been met as follows:
- That the electronic communications network service licensee, SENTECH, appointed to provide signal distribution services to the SABC has ensured that the digital broadcast signal for the SABC has reached hundred percent (100%) through the terrestrial and the satellite networks; and
- The coverage requirements for Multiplexes 1 and 2 based on the terrestrial television broadcasting service licensees’ conditions have been met, for those licensees who have appointed an electronic communications network service licensee to provide signal distribution services.
The Minister has also considered progress with implementation of Cabinet decision to assist indigent TV-owning households with access to set-top boxes. She is satisfied with the number of indigent households that have registered for government assistance vis-à-vis number of available set-top boxes; progress with set-top boxes installations; and progress with the analogue switch-off in various provinces.
Links: Department of Communications and Digital Technologies
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