Exactly 16 days ahead, some top officials of MTN in South Africa have regretted the indications that Nigerian, again will not meet the June 17, 2017 global transition from analogue to digital terrestrial transmission (DTT).
It would be recalled that beyond whatever every other investor in the nation’s Digital Swith Over (DSO) dream, MTN Nigeria can be said to be the highest investor having bought over the country’s 700MHz broadcasting spectrum which is solely for the purpose of digital broadcasting.
Only recently in Johannesburg, a top official of the group said “Above all, MTN is particularly bothered that the country (Nigeria) where it has its highest number of telecommunications subscribers will not be able to meet the June 2017 deadline for digital migration, despite having failed to meet the earlier deadline of June 2015”.
“So, it is of the conviction that the acquisition will only present a stronger frontier to give Nigerians the opportunity to watch TV, even on their smartphones, after June 2017.
The official averred further that other countries in Africa that will be affected by the digital migration deadline will also benefit from the opportunities inherent.
Just like the telecoms giant observed and regretted, clearer signal has emerged that even though nationwide transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT) may not feasible come next 17 day, that is June 17, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has worked out a systematic rollout that will see regional switchover in batches.
Already, some parts of the North are on DSO including Plateau State and Federal Capital territory (FCT). Details from the Commission show that Enugu, Gombe, four others are underway in next phase including the state of Osun.
Business Hilights recalls that only few member countries of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) had met DSO while some that launched had technical issues which are still frustrating their services.
Explaining more on this in a recent interview, the Head, Public Affairs at NBC, Mrs. Maimuna Jimada said the commission is taking its time in studying other climes where the deal was very successful so as to avoid the sad experiences of some other countries that switched over and failed.
According to her, the main focus was the benchmark date of June 17, 2017, which was agreed upon by West African countries for the switchover from analogue to DTT platforms.
To limit chances of errors, she said NBC is in constant engagement with critical stakeholders on how best to deliver the DSO seamlessly in Nigeria.
Some of the stakeholders involved include the media, legislators, government officials, broadcasters, educational institutions, marketers and suppliers of broadcast equipment, and the international community.
