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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