The Free State province will soon switch from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT) as part of government's broadcasting digital migration project, says the communications department.
The department, which is overseeing the country's digital migration project, says it will begin handing out subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) to Free State communities.
This marks a progressive step following minister Ayanda Dlodlo's pronouncement that she will adhere to the African National Congress' policy on the issue of STB technical specifications.
With Dlodlo at the helm, the communications department is determined to proceed with the implementation of DTT and meet its December 2018 switch off deadline.
SA has been planning for digital migration since 2008 but missed the June 2015 deadline to switch to digital television. The project has progressed in fits and starts with legal issues and STB production upheaval often taking the spotlight.
According to the department, certain district municipalities in the Free State will soon receive government-subsidised STB, which will be registered and installed.
Starting on Monday, the district municipalities including Lejweleputswa, Matjhabeng, Nala, Tswelopele, Tokologo and Masilonya will commence an awareness and registration campaign programme in preparation for the rollout process of the digital migration programme.
The department points out it is working with the South African Post Office to reach communities and to distribute the subsidised television decoders to qualifying households.
The Free State provincial and local governments have been strong supporters of the broadcasting digital migration project, encouraging qualifying residents to register for STBs, it says.
"The department is now enlisting the support of provincial and government to encourage qualifying residents to register for this benefit. To qualify for these government-subsidised decoders, television viewing households must be earning less than R3 200 per month."
Government has committed to giving five million subsidised STBs to poor TV-owning households.
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