Digital Migration Programme Update: Key Milestones and Future Plans

1. UPDATE ON THE DIGITAL MIGRATION PROGRAMME

2. THE DOC DELEGATION 2

3. BACKGROUND • Presidential Proclamation of 02 December 2014 gave powers to the Minister of Communications for the implementation of the DTT programme. • DTT Project was formally handed over to the DoC on 31 January 2015. • The broadcasting digital migration programme is therefore a flagship of the Department of Communications. • In March 2015, Cabinet approved the final amendments to the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy, which unlocked the project to enable implementation. • Cabinet further approved that government provide free set-top-boxes to the five million poor TV-owning households. This shift is a reflection of government’s commitment to ensure that digital migration happens within the shortest time possible. • The country did not meet the 17 June 2015 analogue switch off date as set by the International Telecommunications Unionbut a lot of work has gone into the process leading to the imminent analogue switch off. • Notwithstanding this, the Ministry concluded and signed Bilateral Engagements with our neighbouring countries namely, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland in order to minimise cross border radio frequency spectrum interference. • The Ministry is ready to consult with Cabinet on the digital signal switch-on date. 3

4. SA DIGITAL MIGRATION ECOSYSTEM POLICY - Completed and Published • Dependent on • Post ASO Policy Digital Dividend Release REGULATORY FRAMEWORK - Completed and Published • Completed and Published • SANS 862 • SANS 1719 • IDTV due 30 Sept ‘19 Frequency Restacking • Policy to be developed STANDARDS • Completed and Published • 84% Terrestrial & 16% to • be covered by Satellite TRANSMISSION NETWORK ASO • Dependent on devices • Five Countries Concluded • (Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, • Mozambique & Namibia) INTERFERENCE HARMONISATION Viewer Migration • Dependent on devices DTT DEVICES • Panel of Manufacturers Appointed • PA Strategy Completed • Communication Plan Completed • Implementation Plan Completed CONSUMER AWARENESS • Distribution Centres Identified • Distribution Process Outlined Logistics and Distribution 4

5. DTT GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES • DTT PMO was re-established in October 2014. • Technical teams were established and operationalised: • Implementation Planning; • Public Awareness Forum; and • Spectrum Harmonisation & Coordination (Regulator (ICASA), Signal Distributor (SENTECH), National Public Broadcaster (SABC) and DoC). 5

6. POLICY FRAMEWORK Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) Policy in SA was developed approved in 2008. BDM Policy underwent two Amendments in 2012 and 2015. Final Policy amendments approved – 04 March 2015 and Gazetted on 18 March 2015. Government to provide free STBs to 5 Million Poor Television Household. Minister of Communications to announce Performance Period after consultation with Cabinet. 6

7. DTT REGULATIONS AND STANDARD • DTT Regulations • DTT regulations completed and published; and • Regulations for Digital Channel Licensing to be finalised. • DTT Standards • DTT SANS 862 (DVB-T2) completed and published; • DTH SANS 1719 completed and published; and • IDTV SANS 10352 On track for completion in October 2015 • STBs Control System Specifications finalised by Broadcasters and handed over to USAASA. • STBs Conformance Testing established and conformance regime ready. 7

8. TRANSMISSION NETWORK • DTT Transmitter Network Readiness • Terrestrial and satellite network completed and ready. Covers 84 % and 16% of the population respectively. • All 178 analogue transmitters configured with DTT network • Optimisation and testing of network – Sentech system ready for testing STBs. 8

9. DIGITAL SWITCH-ON AND SWITCH-OFF • Performance period (Dual Illumination) to be completed in the next 18 to 24 months. • Minister to announce performance period. • Analogue Switch Off (ASO) roadmap ready. 9

10. ANALOGUE SWITCH-OFF (ASO) ROADMAP • South Africa to adopt a phased approach for the ASO to achieve the following primary objectives: • Protection of services from cross border interference; • Compliance with SKA Act requirements; • Align to best practice and minimize services disruptions; • Optimal allocation of resources (dedication); and • Viewer management risk averse approach. • The phased approach has been adopted in other countries and it has minimal impact on viewers. • SKA and borderline areas to be prioritised 10

11. RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM HARMONISATION • Bilateral Engagements with neighbouring countries • Technical team established consisting of ICASA, SENTECH, SABC and DoC; • Borderline spectrum analysis conducted for all neighbouring countries; • Interference scenarios were considered in the analysis without limit on distance between sites in either countries; • RSA analogue television to neighbouring country’s DTT (and vice-versa) • RSA DTT television to neighbouring country’s DTT (and vice-versa) • Five of the six countries visited (Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique and Namibia) • Cooperation agreements signed between Ministers; • Memorandum of Understanding / Agreements in the development process (to be finalised before WRC 15); and • To finalise Zimbabwe. 11

12. CONSUMER EDUCATION AND AWARENESS • Public Education and Awareness (PEA). • PEA Strategy completed and approved for implementation and implementation commenced. • Three key major Launch • Education Launch; • STB Launch (Dual Illumination / Performance Period); and • Analogue Switch Off • Communication Plan Completed • Key messaging developed; • Pamphlets and leaflets developed (in eleven official languages); • TV and radio adverts developed; and • Government Imbizo programme to be utilised. • Digital LOGO designed (In the process of registration as Trademark). • Digital logo mascot designed. • Consumers encouraged to take up STBs 12

13. DTT DEVICES (ACQUISITION & DISTRIBUTION) • Acquisition of DTT Devices (STB and Antennas). • Panel of manufacturers (26) established to supply DTT and DTH STBs; • 3 Companies to supply antennae; • Control/Security System Specifications completed and handed over by broadcasters to USAASA (as required by policy and standard); • Government to place STB orders in August 2015 • Logistics and Distribution framework to be finalised and ready. 13

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