South Africa faces “dire” DSO
November 7, 2014
By Chris Forrester
South Africa’s digital TV switchover is in a dire state said William Stucke, an outgoing advisor (councillor) to the country’s media regulator ICASA. Stucke was speaking at DISCOP’s 2014 event in Johannesburg on Nov 5.
Stucke reminded delegates that countries such as the UK had taken up to 12 years to organise their analogue transition to digital TV broadcasting, and that South Africa had not yet started the transition process despite the obligatory June 2015 cut-off date.
He warned that the indecision over digital adoption and transition meant that TV manufacturers do not know how best to implement technology into their receivers.
Chairing the session, Russell Southwood of Balancing Act Africa said that only five African countries will meet the ITU digital TV deadline on June next year.