Sentech's digital TV migration outlined

Johannesburg, 30 Aug 2006

State-owned signal distributor Sentech has outlined timelines and revealed its operational strategy for SA's migration from analogue TV to digital terrestrial TV (DTT).

Speaking in Johannesburg yesterday, at a conference hosted by The Business Zone on digital broadcasting, Sentech's acting COO Frans Lindeque said his company will work closely with the Department of Communications, broadcasters and key industry players to make DTT a reality.

He quoted the minister of communications, Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, who said in her budget speech this year: "Following the allocation of funds to Sentech for the digitisation of its signal distribution network, work has started to get us ready for the roll-out of digital-ready infrastructure."

Last month, it was announced that these funds amount to about R1 billion, and Lindeque explained where the investments will be made.

Three phases

"The first phase, which has already begun and will continue for the next two years, involves replacing and upgrading the network infrastructure," he told delegates.

The second phase deals with the migration of 184 analogue sites to digital. This will take three years, leaving both analogue and digital transmission methods available (known as "dual illumination").

The third phase involves switching off the analogue signal - expected to be in about 2015 - and then adding further services to DTT (such as high-definition TV channels, interactive services, multiple language options and electronic programming guides).

High-definition television via the DTT network will only be possible once spectrum has been freed up by switching off the analogue signal, noted Lindeque. "When analogue is switched off there will be ample frequency spectrum for high-definition TV".

Ready by 2010

Two multiplexes are set initially to carry seven DTT channels - MNet, e-TV, all three SABC channels, plus two additional regional SABC channels. Spare channels will also be made available for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, he said.

Since the first two years will be taken up with infrastructure upgrades, Lindeque says DTT coverage will only be noticeable in about 2008, when 56% of sites will be migrated. By 2009, 78% coverage will have been attained, and by 2010 he expects it to be 92%.

There will likely be a few different options in terms of set-top-box hardware, with variations in price and functionality; but delegates were assured that boxes will be available with chipsets supporting both standard definition and high definition.

He listed the key factors in whether SA experiences a smooth transition to digital TV as the findings of the Department of Communications' digital migration working group. These are the cost of a set-top-box for consumers, awareness campaigns, government and industry support, and support from the Independent Communications Authority of SA.