South Africa sets date for digital TV


Details

Rebecca Hawkes

| 15 December 2015




South Africa is to begin the migration to digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting on 1 February 2016, according to the government.



The cabinet has approved the interim dual-illumination period, where digital broadcasting runs alongside analogue transmissions, to commence in February.

“The migration from analogue to digital broadcasting services releases the much-needed radio frequency spectrum suitable for the provision of mobile broadband services,” said Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe.

“This will increase the competitiveness of the South African economy by revitalising the broadcasting industry, strengthening the electronics manufacturing industry, creating jobs and developing more local and diverse broadcast content.”

South Africa missed the June 2015 deadline for the global switch to DTT set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).