Nigerian CommunicationWeek

FG Issues 2012 Deadline for Digital Broadcast

To ensure that Nigeria is not left behind in the digital world, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has fixed June 17, 2012 as switch over date from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcast system.

The move is also in response to the decision arrived at by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) which set 2015 as the deadline for full transition to digital broadcast in Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and 2020 for Very High Frequency (VHF) all over the world.

Sanator Ayogu Eze, chairman, Senate Committee on Information, , said any broadcast medium outfit which fails to move from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcast system by the year 2012 deadline, would have its licence revoked.

He was addressing the opening session at a one-day stakeholders meeting to brainstorm on how government policies can aid digitalization.

Eze said broadcast outfits in the country have no reasons not to meet 2012 deadline since necessary technology required for the transition was already available in the market.

He, however, assured that the National Assembly will ensure the establishment of a platform that will provide both conducive environment and financial succor for the private sector and that government would assist those who would face difficulties in the course of transition.

"You and I know that digital broadcast system is inevitable if the country must catch up with the rest of the world.

"Are you aware that the United States (US) would transit to digital broadcasting in 2009? We are crossing over in 2012. So, we have no reason not to do it at that time because we still have 4 years ahead to achieve this important goal", he said.

Mr. John Odey, minister of Information and Communications had earlier said that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had approved the take-off of the nation’s transition from analogue to digital terrestial broadcasting, effective 2007.

Odey explained that the approval is sequel to a decision by the International Telecommunications Union, the body responsible for global spectrum management, which kick-off the global race to digitalization at the Regional Radiocommuncations Conference (RRC) 2006 in Geneva.

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