The Director General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mallam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu has disclosed that the Abuja switch on is the definitive beginning of the journey to conclude a national Analogue Switch Off (ASO) and a Digital Switch Over (DSO).
In a press conference on Monday at NBC’s office, Abuja Kawu rolled out encouraging data on the journey tpo national digital television experience, saying NBC is on course.
“I am very happy to share some of the interesting statistics of the Abuja switch on with you. From our launch on December 22nd, 2016, 251, 447 STBs were sold in Abuja.
“In the same period, 145, 357 boxes were activated; our call center received a total of 325, 028 calls in the same period. The next phase is our plan for the six states that we have chosen to switch on.
The DG disclosed further, saying “As I address you today, Pinnacle Communications Limited has commenced the installation of the facilities for Kaduna. I was there to inspect the work being done at the weekend. Our colleagues can go to the site on Rabah Road, in Kaduna to verify that work is advancing very rapidly there”.
“They have also concluded plans for Delta and Gombe states, while the second signal distributor, ITS, will similarly mobilize into Kwara, Enugu and Osun states.
He however revealed that NBC has commenced the settlement of all indebtedness arising from the contracts awarded in respect of the DSO and added that “We have effected payments to the Set Top Boxes manufacturers. Settlement of their monies came to about Five Billion Naira. The next phase of payment we are processing is what is due to the DSO backbone group, our signal distributors, ITS and Pinnacle Communications Limited”.
“These payments would help our various stakeholder groups to meet their obligations as well as deepen commitment to the entire effort to achieve a nation-wide DSO,” NBC boss said.
