TMCnet News
Govt Sets Standards for Digital Television(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) South Africa's Minister of Communications, Ms Dina Pule, encouraged local manufacturers to be "innovative" when it comes to delivering digital television decoders. Pule was speaking at the official announcement of the minimum requirements for manufacturers to produce digital television set-top boxes (STBs) yesterday. "Through this standard, we are inviting local manufactures to be innovative, within this framework, to deliver decoders that will improve the television experience of our citizens," said Pule. The Chairperson of the board of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Mr.Bahle Sibisi said that the formulation of the standard regulations for the STBs was quite a long and involved process because of the technological requirements. "We are pleased as the SABS to have collaborated with the Department of Communication", he added. Sibisi said that the standards document will facilitate the process of digital migration and explained the purpose of the STBs as a translator that will allow for digital migration. Effect of Digital Migration All households with television sets will need a STB to receive the new digital terrestrial television (DTT) signal. The move from analogue to digital transmission would allow for universal and enhanced services and this captures the theme of the ICT summit of using technology to improve the quality of life. "Universal access to infrastructure will enable governments to deliver e-services of high quality such as e-health and e-education to rural areas," said Pule. In her inaugural address of the Indaba on Monday, Pule said that manufacturing the set-top boxes locally would advance the country technologically whilst creating jobs. "As we march towards achieving a prosperous information society and knowledge economy, we need to be mindful of the challenges that could derail our efforts," Pule said. She then touched on the issues of cybercrime, cost of communication and broadband which remain challenges. Bridging the Digital Divide The process of digital migration of television is facilitated by a treaty that South Africa signed, together with countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The treaty will ensure all these countries are on par with international developments in technology. Deputy Secretary-General of ITU, Mr. Houlin Zhao acknowledged Africa for launching its own standards. He further encouraged South Africa and the African continent to become even more active in aligning themselves with international standards. Copyright Reporting Development Network Africa. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |