Thursday 20 September 2012

GOVERNMENT APPROVES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIGITAL MIGRATION



Government has approved key technical and policy recommendations to facilitate Zambia’s digital migration programme.
Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary (PS) Amos Malupenga says with the approval by Cabinet the National Taskforce on Migration is now expected to scale up the implementation of the digital migration process.
Mr. Malupenga disclosed this when he officially opened a two-day stakeholders consultative conference on digital migration at Government Complex in Lusaka today.
The Permanent Secretary said the implementation of the programme was key as it is in line with Government’s agenda to overhaul the broadcasting industry so that it contributes effectively to national development.
Mr. Malupenga said digital television broadcasting will also enhance parental control over children by restricting access to certain programmes that may not be morally suitable for their viewing.
He noted that digital television also makes it possible to simultaneously transmit many high quality pictures and sound through efficient use of frequencies, which are a limited resource.
Mr. Malupenga said while analogue television uses one frequency to carry one programme channel, digital terrestrial television uses one frequency to carry multiple programme channels, thereby allowing for greater choice and variety for viewers.
He added that government’s expectation is that broadcasters and production houses in Zambia will rise to the occasion and use the huge technological capacity that digital terrestrial television avails to contribute towards job creation.
Meanwhile, National Taskforce on Migration Chairperson Luwani Soko noted that the Taskforce’s mandate is to oversee and ensure that the digital migration process is done within the specified time frame.
Mr. Soko said various stakeholders have been approached to work with the task force on how best to implement the digital migration process.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations (UN) agency, has set June 17, 2015, as the deadline for countries across the world to migrate from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
In view of this deadline, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has set December, 2013, as the deadline for member states in the region to migrate from analogue to digital terrestrial television in order to allow for a smooth and orderly transition and shut-down of analogue television transmission by 2015.
ZANIS

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