The Department of Communications (DOC) should be in a position to evaluate the tender for subsidized set-top boxes in September and the first decoders should be available by the end of 2013, says minister Dina Pule.
Pule was speaking during her public participation programme visit to Nkowankowa, in the greater Tzaneen region, on Friday. She said that, for South Africa to successfully migrate to the digital broadcasting era, the department needs to have a network, have decoders, and make sure "every South African aware of digital migration and many opportunities this era brings to the country".
Sentech has so far covered 81% of South Africa's population with the digital signal, and aims to make sure it covers the entire population by the end of the year, says Pule. Initially, this target was set for next March, with remote areas set to be covered by satellite.
The DOC continues to interact with all role players in the set-top box sector, including broadcasters and manufactures, says Pule. She says the tender for subsidised boxes should be adjudicated in September with boxes becoming available by year-end.
Decoders must be in the market before switch on and the state will subsidise 70% of the cost of about five million boxes. However, a manufacturer has indicated that it will take about six months to produce boxes once the tender is awarded.
Pule says "driving public awareness and education about DTT [digital terrestrial television] is the most important part of the digital migration process." She says the department is intensifying its efforts by going directly to communities.
"Two main benefits that will be brought by DTT are clearer broadcast images and crisper voice clarity. Secondly, this migration process will bring with it more choice for viewers and encourage communities to tell their own stories themselves.
"This will be a great contribution to our government's effort to entrench social cohesion. We have identified that jobs will be created in areas such as content development sector, set-top box manufacturing and distribution, installation and maintenance of set-top boxes and call centres," said Pule.
Government has identified the ICT sector as one of the key areas for job creation, said Pule. "This sector can also play a facilitator's role in boosting the economy and creating new wealth and entrepreneurship in our communities."
Pule added that the DOC "is determined to roll out essential ICT services to all citizens, especially those who live in under-serviced areas of the country."
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