WELCOME TO THE DIGITAL FUTURE
Since 2007 the Department of Communications has been exploring ways to transform broadcasting to benefit all South Africans. Over the next few years, South Africans will be transformed as we welcome in a new era in television!
Why digital?
Digital broadcasting is changing the face of communications world-wide. It is based on the same basic infrastructure (transmitters, aerials and TV sets) as the old network. However, it uses far less bandwidth (“airspace” for radio, television and cellular signal transmission) than analogue. In fact, up to 8 TIMES MORE INFORMATION can be transmitted using the same amount of bandwidth.
This means faster, clearer transmission with greater capacity for interaction (two-way communication instead of one-way transmission).
Brand new industry promises economic upliftment
Key to the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy is the creation of millions of new jobs country-wide. This is in keeping with government’s ASGISA objectives of accelerated economic growth. To boost the development of the local electronics manufacturing sector, Set-Top Boxes will be manufactured locally. This creates an opportunity to build a globally competitive export sector that is an objective of the Industrial Policy Action Plan.
The economic spin-offs of digital migration are also destined to be huge – from technical support to retailing – while the increased demand for broadcast content, especially regional based programming, will foster more jobs for local content producers and their supply chains.
A boxful of brilliance
In order to receive the digital signal on their current analogue TV sets, households will need to use Set-Top Boxes plugged into their TV sets. These compact boxes will allow you to:
- Convert the digital signal into analogue signal so you can watch the content on an analogue TV set
- Allow you to review upcoming programmes with a remote control, so you can plan your viewing ahead of time e.g. school children will know when to view education programmes
- Using a return path capability, you may in time be able to access government information and services and send messages back, e.g. you can fill in and send back government forms without leaving home!
Digital for all
Set-Top Boxes will be available to all members of the public for once-off purchase from around early 2010. The Department of Communications has announced that Government will subsidize Set-Top Box ownerships as an incentive to approximately five million of the poorest TV owning households.
FAQs frequently asked questions
South Africa has embarked on a process of migrating its broadcasting services from analogue to digital. This is known as Broadcasting Digital Migration. The main focus of the migration process is Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).
1. What is DTT?
DTT stands for Digital Terrestrial Television (or digital terrestrial transmission). It refers to the terrestrial broadcasting of television in a digital format. Currently terrestrial television in South Africa is broadcast in an analogue format. The country is in the process of planning and implementing migration from analogue to digital broadcasting.
2. What is the difference between analogue TV and digital TV?
In analogue, the signal is transmitted in the form of electromagnetic waves. This is not the most efficient way of transmitting TV signals. In digital, the signal is encoded and can be compressed – this will therefore allow for more channels to be broadcast. A minimum of 8 new video channels can be provided in the same frequency as one analogue channel.
3. Will I need a satellite dish to receive DTT?
No, you will not need a satellite dish to receive DTT. The satellite signal is not the same as the terrestrial signal which is received using a terrestrial TV aerial.
4. Will I need a new aerial to receive DTT?
Some viewers may need new aerials, or may need to upgrade existing aerials. In some instances aerials may have to be adjusted. At this stage it is unclear who will be affected by such adjustments, but the majority of viewers will not require any changes to their aerial installations.
5. Will I need any other additional equipment to receive DTT?
You will need to have a DTT Set-Top Box (also referred to as a decoder). This DTT Set-Top Box is not the same as the Multichoice satellite decoder or the current MNet decoder.
6. What is a Set-Top Box (STB)?
The Set-Top Box is a receiver that will decode the digital signal to enable the channels to be displayed on your analogue television set. This Set-Top Box will plug into your TV set.
7. Why do I need a Set-Top Box?
You need a device that decodes the digital signal received via a standard aerial antenna and supplies the TV set with a video signal. Without the Set-Top Box you will be unable to view the digital television services on your television set.
8. What will the Set-Top Box cost?
With the level of functionality proposed by the Department of Communications, it is estimated that the retail cost of the free-to-air Set-Top Box is in the region of R400-R700.
9. Do you need a Set-Top Box to receive the DTT services if you have DStv?
DStv is a satellite service. The satellite signal is different from the DTT signal and the two systems are not compatible. DStv subscribers will continue to receive the existing and some future free-to-air channels. However, if you wish to receive all the DTT free-to-air services you will have to purchase a DTT Set-Top Box.
10. Where can the Set-Top Box be bought?
Set-Top Boxes aren’t available for sale to the public yet. They will most likely be available in early 2010. Watch the press for details!
11. How is the Set-Top Box installed?
The Set-Top Box can be installed by a professional installer or one can connect the cable from the TV aerial to the Set-Top Box (normally RF IN at the back) and then follow the Set-Top Box installation menu using the supplied manual.
12. If I have five TV sets in the house, will I need five Set-Top Boxes?
YES, if you want each individual TV set to view a different channel. Other models of Set-Top Boxes with functionality that allows you to connect more than one TV to a single Set-Top Box may be developed and made available at a later stage. This STB will however be more expensive.
13. Will I need to pay a subscription every month like DStv?
NO, the SABC and eTV will continue to be available for free. However, you will still have to continue paying your TV license. You will also need to pay a monthly subscription fee if you choose to subscribe to M-Net.
14. Will I need to buy a new television set to receive DTT?
NO, most current analogue television sets will be able to receive DTT. The main consideration is that your TV must have an A/V input to ensure your Set-Top-Box can be plugged into your TV. If you have this, you should be able to use your current TV set. You do not need a high definition (HF) TV, LCD TV or Plasma TV to receive DTT.
In the next few years, there could also be TVs with an integrated Set-Top Box (that means a Set-Top Box already built in with the TV). These are usually called idTVs. However, these are not likely to be available in SA for a long time.
15. How do I establish if my TV will be compatible to the Set-Top Box?
The TV set must have audio and video inputs or alternatively must have RF input.
16. When will the Set-Top Box and the new DTT services be available to me?
It is anticipated that the service will be available to the public towards early 2010. However, there are a number of areas that still need to be resolved before the service is available to the public. This includes testing of the service to ensure that everything works as it should before consumers spend money on purchasing Set-Top Boxes. It is also important to note that the digital network will be rolled out over a period of three years. Therefore, you will need to check when the digital signal will be available in your specific area. Information will be made available on exact areas of coverage and when these will be covered closer to the time of the public launch of the service.
17. What if I cannot afford the Set-Top Box? Does this mean that I will not be able to watch television after 2011, when the analogue signal is switched off?
In August 2008 Government announced its plans to establish a subsidy or incentive scheme to assist households that cannot afford a Set-Top Box. It is anticipated that approximately 5-million South African households will need the subsidy/incentive. More information will be available later in the year about how to access the subsidy and how government will monitor and control the process.
HIGHWAY TO THE DIGITAL FUTURE
The way forward with Digital TV
1. 2007 A new vision
The Department of Communications announces its commitment to a digital broadcasting platform in South Africa.
At the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation’s (CTO) Digital Switchover Forum, the Department of Communications announces its commitment to digital broadcasting in South Africa. This will place it at the forefront of digital broadcasting worldwide.
2. Feb 2007 Timing is everything...
Cabinet approves a timetable for the migration to digital television.
South Africa has chosen to save money and accelerate progress by committing to a shorter Dual illumination period (the time during which both the digital AND analogue television signals will exist side by side).
3. June 2008 The Digital Dzonga is formed
Government takes an inclusive approach and experts from all fields are appointed to manage the digital television migration.
The Digital Dzonga is steered by an Advisory Council made up of experts from all related fields. They are dedicated to making the migration from analogue broadcasting to digital as smooth and easy as possible for all South Africans.
4. Aug 2008 Go-ahead
Cabinet approves the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy for South Africa – a framework for the change over from analogue to digital broadcasting.
5. Nov 2008 Testing!
The digital signal is switched on for broadcaster trials in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.
The aim of the technical trials of digital terrestrial television (DTT) is to detect and iron out any technical issues before the technology is made available countrywide.
6. Feb 2009 World class
SA’s Digital Migration Plan recognised at international event.
At the Digital Switchover Strategies event held in London, South Africa is runner-up in the category “Best Digital Switchover Plan,” just behind Finland, where analogue switch-off has already been completed. South Africa is the ONLY developing country shortlisted among those that have already completed their switchover process.
7. Mar - Apr 2009 All systems go!
The specifications for Set-Top Boxes (STBs) are finalised and local manufacturing starts.
To help boost the development of the local electronics manufacturing sector, Set-Top Boxes will be manufactured locally according to the agreed specifications.
8. 2009 ICASA Regulations and frequency plan finalised
ICASA is the regulatory body that governs communications in South Africa, including radio and television broadcasting as well as post and telecommunications. The Frequency Plan allocates specific radio bandwidth to broadcasters to enable them to broadcast their signals.
9. May – Oct 2009 Let’s take it to the nation
Transmitter roll-out progress by signal distributors Sentech and Orbicom.
The upgrade of transmitters to allow for digital broadcasting continues. Close to 50% of the population will have access to DTT services at launch.
10. Jul – Aug 2009 Get your licence!
Issuing of broadcasting licences commences through ICASA.
Existing broadcasters will request authorisation to put new digital channels on air.
11. 2010 Be the first to own a Set-Top Box (STB)
Set-Top Boxes are available to the public.
South Africans can watch a range of new TV channels by getting their own Set-Top Boxes from outlets countrywide. In addition, 5-million low-income households will receive subsidised boxes to ensure digital access for all. South Africans are urged to hurry – the world’s greatest soccer nations are on their way to our shores and we want to make the best impression with world-class TV coverage and broadcasting quality.
12. Nov 2011 Analogue is dead! Long live digital
The country begins to switch off the analogue signal. Analogue broadcasting is finally over and a new era in Digital Television (DTT) broadcasting begins.
13. 2011 and beyond... Education, Job creation, Communication...
The SA Digital Television Industry will continue to boost the economy and uplift the lives of all South Africans. New jobs will be created all down the delivery chain, while millions will be able to benefit from better education and communication through new electronic means of communication, such as the Internet.
NOTE: Dates indicated are target timings only and may vary as the process unfolds.
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