Digital terrestrial television (DTT) will be coming to South Africa soon, or soonish, as soon as the government decides on a standard. Currently there are two options from which to choose: the European DVB-T2 and hybrid Japanese-Brazilian ISDB-Tb. South African broadcasters favour the European standard, largely because they've already spent millions of rands testing it; it's also cheaper than the hybrid, but our government is seldom swayed by such matters.
Also in favour of the European standard is that a Southern African Development Community (SADC) task team recommended it as the one best suited to the region. But the recommendation is just that; it's not binding and countries are free to opt for the hybrid if they so choose. Considering South Africa's propensity to try anything to increase trade in the East and South Americas, it wouldn't be surprising if, despite the extra costs, it decided to go with ISDB-Tb.
The South African Minister of Communications, Roy Padayachie is the man tasked with investigating the two standards before presenting a report to Cabinet.
According to an article on Bizcommunity, the transition from analogue to the DDT standard may pose some difficulties in Africa. Joe Frans, Next Generation Broadcasting (NGB) Africa president, said that operators need to be patient as Africa slowly comes to grips with the move. In the meantime, he recommends that they prepare as well as they can despite the predominant uncertainty.
"Do it assiduously, with the right process. The government might say policy will be ready in a year's time, and you plan around this timeframe and you are told later that the policy will only be ready after two years," he said. "Don't give up. You need to be resilient. Africa is a tedious terrain, so be patient. You need to stay put. You need to do it according to the policies and frameworks of the country, don't push policy."
Easy to say when you haven't spent R250-million purchasing new equipment, developing products and testing the European standard, as two of South Africa's broadcasters, M-Net and e-tv, have. Apparently MultiChoice and e.tv have warned the government that it will cost R4.6-billion for the hybrid decoders, as opposed to almost R2-billion needed for the European standard.
The matter remains open for public speculation until early 2011, when the final decision is expected to be made.
Also in favour of the European standard is that a Southern African Development Community (SADC) task team recommended it as the one best suited to the region. But the recommendation is just that; it's not binding and countries are free to opt for the hybrid if they so choose. Considering South Africa's propensity to try anything to increase trade in the East and South Americas, it wouldn't be surprising if, despite the extra costs, it decided to go with ISDB-Tb.
The South African Minister of Communications, Roy Padayachie is the man tasked with investigating the two standards before presenting a report to Cabinet.
According to an article on Bizcommunity, the transition from analogue to the DDT standard may pose some difficulties in Africa. Joe Frans, Next Generation Broadcasting (NGB) Africa president, said that operators need to be patient as Africa slowly comes to grips with the move. In the meantime, he recommends that they prepare as well as they can despite the predominant uncertainty.
"Do it assiduously, with the right process. The government might say policy will be ready in a year's time, and you plan around this timeframe and you are told later that the policy will only be ready after two years," he said. "Don't give up. You need to be resilient. Africa is a tedious terrain, so be patient. You need to stay put. You need to do it according to the policies and frameworks of the country, don't push policy."
Easy to say when you haven't spent R250-million purchasing new equipment, developing products and testing the European standard, as two of South Africa's broadcasters, M-Net and e-tv, have. Apparently MultiChoice and e.tv have warned the government that it will cost R4.6-billion for the hybrid decoders, as opposed to almost R2-billion needed for the European standard.
The matter remains open for public speculation until early 2011, when the final decision is expected to be made.