While the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) deliberates the new, free satellite television offering due to launch in SA in October - and whether it will require a licence to operate - plans for Platco's OpenView HD service are ongoing.
Last week, ICASA said SA's first private commercial free-to-air broadcaster, etv, had submitted a letter to the authority stating its holding company, Sabido Investments, had established a new subsidiary - Platco Digital - which would manage the technology aspects of etv's new multi-channel digital offering, OpenView HD.
At the time, ICASA spokesperson Paseka Maleka could not verify whether Platco would require a licence from the authority in this regard. He noted all licences required for broadcasters to operate on the platform would be secured by the individual broadcasters themselves - and OpenView HD would merely facilitate the carriage of the broadcasters, and the rollout of set-top boxes necessary to receive the channel offerings.
"The matter is now with ICASA's council," said Maleka this morning - adding that updates would be issued when available.
Specs and content
The content OpenView HD will carry looks set to be provided largely by etv and SABC at this stage. Platco says the service will target SA's lower to middle living standards segment and will be reliant on advertising revenue.
The etv sister company says it has an agreement with the SABC regarding the SABC's existing channels, SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 - as well as "any other channels which SABC would wish to put on the Openview platform".
Meanwhile, Platco has divulged further details on how its free satellite service will work. The company says it is primarily focused on launching the product at this stage, and will add "other features" in future.
For now, says Platco, the offering will give consumers a choice of 15 to 20 channels, five of which will be high-definition (HD) - broadcast in 1080p resolution.
While the service will be free, customers will have to purchase a dish and decoder - and pay for installation of OpenView HD.
"An 85cm dish is recommended as the minimum size. The product will be available through the independent retail market, as well as through the installer market," says Platco. The product will be available through Ellies, Space, Switch and ABT, as well as other major retail stores.
The suppliers, says Platco, will issue their own warranties and set-top boxes and the service will be obtained via users' cellphones, using USSD.
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