“All South Africans deserve a pleasant TV watching experience with clear picture quality, more free-to-air channels, SABC radio station of their choice irrespective of where they are in the country as well as improved pay and subscription TV.” These were the words of Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni as South Africa concludes its migration to digital terrestrial television.
This process is part of the digital migration programme and will see the switching off of all analogue transmitters by 31 March 2022 as President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated in his 2021 State of the Nation Address.
Minister Ntshavheni said that this programme is an important step to drive down the cost to communication and ensure that the majority of South African citizens enjoy the benefits of affordable internet.
Earlier in February, she switched off the last SABC analogue transmitter in Limpopo Province, making Limpopo the fifth province to be switched off (along with Free State, Northern Cape, North-West and Mpumalanga)
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) expects all countries to efficiently use spectrum as a scarce national resource, and migrating from analogue to digital television will see South Africa fulfilling this international obligation.
South African households with a combined income of R3500 or less will need to register for government assistance to migrate at their nearest post office or through the following link www.stbregistration.gov.za.
“Households that do not qualify for a subsidised set-top box can buy a decoder from their local post office at a one-off cost with no monthly subscription fees. These set-top decoders will give access to more than 18 television channels, including the SABC channels, e-TV and community channels,” SA Gov explains.
WhatsApp the department on 0600 625 458 or call 0860 736 832 for more information.
Also read:
Massive cargo ship carrying thousands of luxury cars sinks weeks after catching fire
Picture: Unsplash