The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni will switch-off the last analogue TV transmitter for the North West


MEDIA STATEMENT

 

On 24 November 2021, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies updated South Africans on the progress with the implementation of the revised integrated Broadcast Digital Migration (BDM) and Analogue Switch-Off Plan. She indicated that South Africa is firmly on course to achieve the long delayed Broadcast Digital Migration with the aim of improving media services in the country and freeing the much needed spectrum.

The freeing of the radio frequency spectrum is a critical component of the Independent Communications Authourity of South Africa (ICASA) programme to release IMT spectrum as per the recently published Invitation to Apply (ITA). The target of 31st March 2022 for both BDM and the IMT spectrum auction are dependent on the Department’s ability to complete the Analogue Switch-Off.

In this regard, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies working closely with its entities SENTECH, SAPO and USAASA together with the public broadcaster (SABC) has completed the migration of TV- households in the North West Province from analogue to digital as per set thresholds. As she has done in the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces, Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni will switch-off the last analogue transmitter for the North West Province to symbolise the progress Department continues to register towards the completion of the Broadcast Digital Migration. The last analogue transmitter switch-off will take place as follows:

Date : Wednesday, 22 December 2021.

Venue : SENTECH Transmitter Site- Zeerust North West

Time : 07h00 for 08h00 

The switch-off will be followed by a walk about at communities within the vicinity of the transmitter to assess the impact of the switch-off. Even with the current progress with the BDM, the Minister and Department are still calling upon indigent household, earning a monthly income of R3500 or less to register for government assistance to migrate at their nearest post office or through the following link www.stbregistration.gov.za or WhatsApp us on 0600 625 458 or call us on 0860 736 832 for more information. For households earning above R3500 who are not receiving their TV signal through satellite receivers (DSTV, OpenView, StarSat, Telkom One), may check if their TV sets are not smart TV, digital TV or DTT compliant sets on the Department’s website www.DCDT.gov.za. Or sappy for self migration through the satellite TV signal distributors.

Enquiries: Tlangelani Manganyi (Tlangi) 060-886-4670

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Facebook : Department of Communications & Digital Technologies.

Twitter : @CommsZA

Download Document here: The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni will switch-off the last analogue tv transmitter for the North West on 22 December 2021