BROADCASTING DIGITAL MIGRATION Portfolio Committee 19 February 2008

1. BROADCASTING DIGITAL MIGRATIONPortfolio Committee19 February 2008 Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

2. OUTLINE • Case for Broadcasting Digital Migration in SA • Objectives of the Policy • Key policy decisions • Benefits & Challenges • Way Forward Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

3. WHAT IS DIGITAL BROADCASTING? • Broadcasting Digital Migration is the process of converting the broadcast of television and radio signals from analogue to digital technology. • It begins with the ‘switch-on’ of digital transmission signal and ends with the ‘switch off’ of analogue one. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

4. Objectives of the BDM Policy (1) • To establish a policy environment within which digital migration is implemented; • To give effect to the decisions to implement digital migration within three year dual illumination period. • To provide guidance for the implementation of digital migration in SA within three year dual illumination and beyond. • To provide framework for designating DTT frequency networks to cater for public broadcasting, community broadcasting and commercial broadcasting as well as mobile broadcasting services

5. Objectives (2) • To provide a framework for the establishment of Digital Content Generation Hubs for the provision of local content. • To identify regulatory challenges and to make provisions for addressing them, including broadcasting signal distribution as well as co-assignment of frequencies for digital broadcasting. • To provide both social and economic benefits of broadcasting digital migration. • To provide for the establishment of body referred to as Digital Dzonga

6. CASE FOR BROADCASTING DIGITAL MIGRATION IN SA • South Africa made a commitment in line with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) resolution to switch-off analogue signal on 17 June 2015. • The Broadcasting Digital Migration process is consistent with the 2010 World Cup plans. • Digital broadcast technologies use scarce national frequency spectrum far more efficiently than analogue technologies Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

7. KEY POLICY PROPOSALS Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

8. 1. DIGITAL BROADCASTING SIGNAL COVERAGE • Cabinet approved that: • Switch-on of digital signal on 01 Nov 2008 and switch-off of analogue signal by 01 Nov 2011 • State of the Nation address – Provide digital broadcasting to 50% of the population by the end of the year. Further, that a Manufacturing Strategy for the development of Set Top Boxes, in South Africa, would be finalised by the middle of the year. • National digital broadcasting signal coverage shall be achieved in a phased manner, aimed at reaching 80% population coverage by 2010 and close to 100% by 2011 enabling analogue switch-off Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

9. 2. DUAL ILLUMINATION PERIOD (1) • During transitional period two (2) national frequency networks will be designated for public; community as well as commercial broadcasting services. • The public broadcasting services shall cater for three (3) public regional television services as well as services prioritising education, health, youth, SMME and sports needs. • Adequate frequency networks with national coverage designated for the provision of mobile broadcasting services will be established based on open and non-discriminatory access principles to further achieve universal service and access. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

10. DUAL ILLUMINATION PERIOD (2) • The common-carrier Electronic Communications Network Licensee shall be designated to manage the arrangements of DTT national frequency networks for the duration of the dual illumination period. Commercial broadcasters will have a choice to choose who which signal distributor to carry them. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

11. 3. SET TOP BOXES (STBs) STBs should be enabled to receive services from different platforms and operators. STBs for free to air services will have standardised operating systems prioritising security features, and interoperability. As a means to achieve universal service and access in digital broadcasting the entry level STB will be made affordable. Furthermore, as part of contributing to job creation and South Africa’s global excellence in electro-manufacturing sector, the STBs shall be sourcedprimarily from South African manufacturers. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

12. 4. LOCAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT • Establishment of digital content generation hubs aimed at generating content for the digital channels. • Broadcasting service shall continue to be provided taking into account “public interest” principle. • Access to public broadcasting services by all South Africans, regardless of their economic status, remains a fundamental principle that should continue to be upheld in the digital broadcasting era. • Local content quotas shall continue. • “Must carry” rules will continue. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

13. 5. Implementation Mechanism • Minister established Digital Dzonga in her Budget Vote Speech in May 2007 • Its mandate is to oversee the implementation of the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy in South Africa • It will be in place until 2015 • Key among its functions are: • Consumer education and awareness • Develop and recommend appropriate standards • Manage a help desk for public support • Liaison with relevant stakeholders Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

14. BENEFITS OF BROADCASTING DIGITAL MIGRATION • Some of the benefits for migration are: • Efficient use of spectrum • Availability of more channels • Better quality and innovative digital terrestrial television (DTT) services including interactive and high definition television (HDTV) • Opportunity for local set top box manufacturing. • Building of national identity and social cohesion through content and applications development • Leadership in Africa, especially SADC in line with NEPAD objectives Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

15. Challenges • Short dual illumination period • Affordability of Set-Top-Box • Implementation

16. WAY FORWARD • Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy to be gazetted. • ICASA to develop the necessary regulation for implementing Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy in the country. • Digital Dzonga to develop and monitor the Implementation Plan. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

17. Thank you Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development