Joanna Sterkowicz writes…. The long contested matter of which digital terrestrial television (DTT) standard South Africa would adopt in its digital migration was finally put to bed on 14 January 2011. Minister Roy Padayachie confirmed that South Africa would adopt the second generation European standard, DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial 2).
The way is clear now for government and the industry to tackle the huge complexities involved in the commercial launch of DTT. South Africa has until December 2013 to switch off the analogue signal.
Here Screen Africa takes a look at the (very) long history of the DTT project.
2005 – In line with global trends the South African government decides that the country will migrate from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting. The then Minister of Communications Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri establishes the Digital Migration Working Group (DMWG), comprised of industry experts.
2006 – On the recommendation of the DMWG cabinet adopts the first generation European standard, DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial) for DTT. Government sets the deadline for the switch on of the digital signal for 1 November 2008 with the analogue signal to be switched off on 1 November 2011 (yes, that’s right – this year!). Meanwhile, the deadline set by the International Telecommunication Union (UTO) for Africa’s analogue switch off is 2015.
April 2007 – The DMWG submits the Draft Digital Migration Policy to the Department of Communications (DoC).
April 2008 – Industry stakeholders are frustrated as there is still no word, after a whole year, from the DoC regarding the Draft Digital Migration Policy. As one SADIBA (Southern African Digital Broadcasting Association) member tells Screen Africa: “The industry is ready for DTT and raring to go but we can’t do anything until the government approves the Policy’.
7 August 2008 – In the nick of time government finally approves the country’s Digital Migration Policy (which includes specifications for the STBs).
1 November 2008 – As originally scheduled South Africa’s digital broadcasting signal is switched on for the first time, albeit only in trials (as opposed to launching commercially) conducted by M-Net, e.tv and SABC.
The DoC launches the advisory council known as the Digital Dzonga comprised of industry experts approved by cabinet. It is the Digital Dzonga’s duty to make the implementation of DTT as smooth as possible for the country. Much is said about the “benefits to consumers’ of DTT. However, DTT will require consumers to purchase an STB. The price mooted is around R700.
3 July 2009 – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) publishes the DTT Regulations and assigns three DTT multiplexes – one for public service (ie. SABC) and community broadcasters; one for commercial free-to-air broadcasters (ie. e.tv); and the last for subscriptions services (ie. M-Net). The latter is dependent on M-Net doing “a hard switch-over’.
1 April 2010 – In what seems like an April Fool’s Joke but isn’t, Minister Nyanda dissolves the Digital Dzonga. The reason given is “conflict of interests’ of some of the council members who are industry stakeholders.
9 April 2010 – Despite this new delay the DoC is adamant that all analogue signals will still be switched off on 1 November 2011.
In a totally unexpected move Minister Nyanda then orders a review of DVB-T and begins punting ISDB-T, a standard used only in Japan and Brazil. Stories surface in the media about how Nyanda and some member of cabinet are being courted by a pro-ISDB-T Brazilian contingent. South Africa’s digital migration process, already greatly delayed, is delayed once more.
8 June 2010 – Broadcasters e.tv and M-Net stand up to be counted by holding a briefing session in Johannesburg to inform government officials, the media and the industry of the advantages of DVB-T2 over ISDB-T. The two broadcasters initiate DVB-T2 trials in Soweto and Johannesburg, while at the same time continuing their original DVB-T trials.
20 August 2010 – New Digital Dzonga Advisory Council Members are appointed.
8 November 2010 – SADIBA releases data supporting the adoption of DVB-T and DVB-T2 over ISDB-T.
25 November 2010 – SADC adopts DVB-T as the standard for the region. Meanwhile, Sentech, on instructions from the DoC, embarks on ISDB-T trials in Pretoria.
10 January 2011 – A report appears in TechCentral quoting the special advisor of newly appointed Minister of Communications Roy Padaychie as confirming that DVB-T2 has been approved by cabinet.
11 January 2011 – The National Association of Manufacturers of Electrical Components (NAMEC) announces that it will contest cabinet’s decision as they feel DVB-T2 only benefits the broadcasters and white monopolies.
14 January 2011 – Minister Padayachie makes a formal announcement confirming DVB-T2.
It is now up to the three South African broadcasters to initiate their DTT channels and apply for regulatory approval to launch them. In the meantime, the government has the enormous task of educating the public on the benefits of digital migration and explaining why it is necessary to spend hundreds of rands on a STB just to watch free-to-air television.
