The switch-on from analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) on the 1st November 2008 means reaching a major milestone in broadcast signal distribution.

The switch-on to digital signal will allow for more channels to be broadcast on the same bandwidth currently used for one analogue channel. ICASA will determine how the spectrum released by the migration from analogue to digital television will be used.

To receive DTT, viewers need a Set Top Box (STB) costing about R700. Government has announced that it will subside the cost STB’s for poorer households, providing 70% (R490) towards the cost, leaving poor households to pay R210 – It is estimated that this will cost government about R2,45 billion).

The industry is migrating to the digital TV in accordance with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) directive to ensure ongoing co-ordination and protection from interference. The protection that all countries enjoy will come to an end by the year 2015. It is therefore crucial to complete migration before 2015. South Africa has coordinated its frequency band plan with other countries to ensure that there is no interference between various other countries.