Digital migration has become one of the biggest challenges in African television since the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, set 2015 for the entire broadcasting stations in the world to go digital. Digitization is the current trend in broadcasting and it simply means digitalization of signal source, broadcasting system, transmission and terminal products. It brings to bear many benefits such as: it promotes social development; frees up more frequencies for other communication services; provides increased opportunities for innovation and creativity asides quality image, sound clarity and interactive communication.
Kay Dammholz, DFL Sports Enterprises GMbH, Laura Oloyede, MD/CEO, Laura & Lloyd Communications, Pang XinXing, President, Star Times Group at the 5th African Digital TV Development seminar in Beijing, China.
There are challenges around digitalization which includes but not limited to: Capital-intensity and Technology-intensity and clearly, there are issues around Africa Digital TV Development. However, digital TV operator in Africa, StarTimes, is assisting to ensure that the African continent and media development progresses to the next level in digital television broadcasting as it is evident in the successful digital transformation of Tanzania. The TV is now the partner to Africa in her effort to migrate from analogue to digital.
With the expiration of the analogue era around the corner, many African countries are still not ready, but Tanzania beat other African countries to it after partnering and attributing their success to the television station. Tanzania started the process of analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in 2006, when it amended its broadcasting laws to accommodate digital broadcasting; this was after the announcement by the International Telecommunication Union which found many African countries unprepared to undertake the required task of migration. Tanzania however started the Analogue Switch Over on 31st December 2012 and completed 30th April, 2015 when all analogue television transmitters were switched off.
Narrating the successful transition process in Beijing, China, at the 5th edition of the yearly African Digital TV Development Seminar, Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. Fenella Mukangara, said, “We merged with StarTimes so it was very possible to have a company which was dedicated specifically for that purpose and funding obtained through them and they managed to sort everything out; otherwise it was not a very easy task. I also want to thank them for the good work in the digital transformation. My Government will continue to support in order to continue rolling out digital services in the country including our processes for content development”.
The minister also pointed out that Tanzania fully embarked on the transition from the analogue system, through a number of investors including Star Communication Network Technology from the People’s Republic of China.
To date Star Media, Digital Television Broadcasting, covers all former Analogue serviced (Fifteen regions) including major commercial and capital cities of our country, Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, Arusha, Mwanza Tanga and others,” she said.
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) began a public education road show in April 2011, and the country’s president launched the Digital Tanzania campaign in August 2011. Mukangara said though the process was challenging, but with support from the government and TV outfit, massive awareness and sensitization by the agency in charge, they were able to completely switch over ahead of the June 17, 2015 deadline.
“Our Government through the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has allowed introduction of DTH to complement the DTT services. With that, Tanzania is now having 100% digital signal coverage using DTT and DTH. I’m glad to inform this meeting that, Tanzania has managed to have smooth and successful migration from analogue to digital television ahead of the set ITU deadline of 17th June, 2015,” she said.
She also said that in the process of migration, the government of Tanzania provided tax reliefs, among other incentives, for the importation of Set- Top- Boxes (STB). To date, nearly One million (1,000,000) set top boxes (STBs) have been sold to the citizens and Tanzania currently enjoys about 51 digital channels; a feat which was impossible in the analogue period.
All African countries must embrace this digital move fast and borrow a leaf from Tanzania as digital data takes up less bandwidth, meaning more channels can be broadcast at the same time; it enables viewers to get more TV channels more conveniently; gives viewers much more choice in what they watch and allows for follow-up channels which broadcast the same programmes.
Tanzania has clearly achieved a lot in its digital transition programme.
“Experience from my country shows that the analogue to digital transformation has enabled many Tanzanians and overseas investors to be awarded new television broadcasting licenses. To-date, there are more than 28 television channels and TCRA, is receiving new applications for content provision licenses, a demand which was not there during the analogue era,” Mukangara said.
Countries across the continent have much to learn from the challenges the country has faced. Above all, Tanzania serves as a reminder that digital switchover (DSO) is primarily an exercise in changing consumer behaviour, rather than being a purely technical, regulatory or policymaking exercise. Consumer education must be a key focus of any DSO.
According to the President of StarTimes, Mr Pang XinXing, “Nigeria can leverage on the support that we provide for Africa.’ He added that, ‘Our outfit is aimed at ensuring that every household in Nigeria can access digital TV, afford digital TV, watch digital TV and enjoy digital TV.”
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