Issues, as stakeholders chart course for Africa’s digitalisation

The recently-concluded Africa Digital TV Development seminar tagged Universalise Digital TV and Enjoy Smart Life, in far away Beijing, China, again provided stakeholders in Africa’s broadcast firmament, the opportunity to  share knowledge around the digitisation process.

The seminar further provided the over 400 participants, drawn from 43 countries, that much-needed platform for updates on the efforts so far made, by critical stakeholders in the continent, towards digitising Africa’s digital space; since countries are required to make a complete switch from analogue transmission to digital, following the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) agreement, sealed by members years ago.

A digital broadcasting plan, covering 116 countries (mainly in Africa and Europe), was agreed to for the frequency bands 174–230 MHz and 470–862 MHz at the ITU Regional Radio Communication Conference in Geneva in June 2006.

According to this plan (known as the GE06), the analogue switch-off date was 17 June 2015 (except for some countries in some frequency bands where the deadline is 17 June 2020).

The GE06 Agreement of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) established the Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan in the radio frequency bands for the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Band and Very High Frequency (VHF) Band.

With the final deadline fast approaching, more African countries are seeking to achieve a complete digital switch but have faced challenges in terms of technology, infrastructure and financing.

Each country has their own unique situations but StarTimes has continued to demonstrate its commitment towards the implementation of digital migration.

In a speech titled Advance Hand-in-Hand to Jointly Create the Future,

StarTimes’ President, Mr. Pang Xinxing  argued that Africa could realize the target of providing affordable digital TV to every household, through the adoption of unified technology and business models.

“Digitisation is a complex technologically intensive process that also requires huge capital investment. It should be seen as a social project because it will affect how people receive and share information,” he stressed.

He noted that, globally,  digitization process is being undertaken to free up spectrum for the growth of the information technology industry.

According to him, the transition to digital terrestrial television broadcasting is a complex process, requiring the involvement of legislators, regulators, broadcasting companies (content producers, broadcasters and network operators), manufacturers and viewers.

Describing Year 2017 as critical for the continent to meet the analogue switch-off deadline, he however believes by following a pan-African approach to technology, financing and content development, Africans should be able to have unfettered access to digital life, as soon as possible.

He stated further that besides guaranteeing clearer images and increased channels for content and easier reception,  the availability of radio spectrum will  also allow expansion of the internet-based technology.

The StarTimes’ boss explained that the pay tv service provider had established an enormous network system, with  which it could  provide service to  millions of subscribers.

“With a signal distribution platform, a Direct-to-Home satellite platform, and a digital terrestrial TV platform, StarTimes has made its signal available throughout the African continent, Europe continent and part of Asian continent,” he added.

Mr Pang expressed the commitment of the company to continually innovate and develop ‘the next generation of products for digital entertainment and apps, to support a wide range of content formats.

In his own remarks, Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Professor Elisante Ole Gabriel, argued  for  a completely digitized Africa, insisting that this has become very  vital, as digital broadcasting empowers citizens, especially in the rural areas with necessary information.

Professor Gabriel added that advances in technology would translate to more of the continent’s citizens having access  to information, using internet-based technology.

“Through digital broadcasting, farmers can get information about the market for their crops and also access extension services where access to experts is limited,” Professor Gabriel said.

While the continent is being asked to develop legislation and policies against the introduction of outdated technology on their markets and regulate the use and importation of analogue or second-hand digital broadcast equipment, not a few however believe that the continent is on the march towards digitisation and should take full advantage of being late-comers to the field.

Late adoption of digital technology means, many believe would allow more African countries to benefit from cheaper, but more efficient systems, while also allow for easier technology and content sharing.

However, while some parts of Africa still face challenges in terms of electricity supply and even access, the StarTimes’ boss argued that new approaches and technologies are being developed, in recent times, to ensure that all parts of the continent are covered by a digital signal and at a minimal cost.