South Africa readies local STB production
May 14, 2012
By Chris Forrester
South Africa’s Dept. of Communications is gearing up for local production of set-top boxes. The government office is seeking a manufacturer to help cope with demand as the country switches off its analogue TV transmissions.
Reportedly 36 bidders have formally applied for the contracts up for grabs. South Africa starts migrating to digital TV later this year, and has said it will help subsidise about 5 million boxes for the households unable to afford to buy boxes.
The government reckons there are about 11.5 million TV households in the country, although many of the better-off will already have migrated to MultiChoice’s DStv or newcomer Top TV’s digital satellite transmissions.
South Africa is committed to switching off its analogue transmissions on December 31st 2013.