14-06-2012
From JUDE BUKENYA in Kampala, Uganda
Uganda Bureau
KAMPALA, (CAJ News) - THE Uganda communications commission (UCC) has issued new standard guidelines for digital migration banning the sale of DVB-T1 boxes which were reportedly on sale of on the Uganda market.

Uganda Communications Commission Media and Public Relations Specialist,    Isaac Kalembe, said the telecommunications regulator has forth with issued new guidelines for digital migration which will involve usage of new technology DVB-T2.

"“Vendors of equipment are advised to cease any further importation of the DVB-T set-top boxes. All importations of the set-top boxes are, therefore, required to comply with the Government approved DVB-T2 system specifications," said Kalembe.

Early this week Uganda's Minister for Information Technology, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, also demanded that all the technology companies involved in the illegal activities stop the sale and importation of DVB-t2 boxes until government finalized consultations on the viable technology to be used in the digital migration process.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) developed a digital terrestrial broadcasting frequency plan that set June 15, 2015 as the date for migration from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

Uganda Government, having developed and adopted a digital terrestrial broadcasting policy, set December 31, 2012 as the analogue switch-over date.

The implementation of the terrestrial digital broadcasting was planned based on DVT-T technology.

Kalembe, who spoke on behalf of Uganda Communication Commission said the sudden stop in implementing the unsanctioned technology would enhance features on the DVB-T standards saying this would motivate a number of countries to upgrade to the DVB-T2 standard.

He said Uganda, along with the East African Community (EAC) member countries had adopted the use the DVB-T2 standard.

Kalembe emphasized that this upgrade implies that any subsequent rollout of digital broadcasting infrastructure in Uganda shall be on the DVB-T2 platform. However, in order to access programmes on the DVB-T2 platform, consumers will have to acquire DVB-T2 set- top boxes.

Kalembe urged Uganda's consumers and vendors to note that DVB-T2 compliant set-top boxes were capable of receiving and correctly displaying digital TV signals transmitted on both DVB-T and DVB-T2 digital platforms. 

On the other hand, a DVB-T compliant set top box is limited to only receiving DVB-T digital signal and is NOT capable of correctly receiving and displaying digital TV signals transmitted on a DVB-T2 digital platform.

He said all equipment suppliers and vendors wre further advised to obtain type approval of the set-top boxes from the Uganda Communications Commission in line with the Uganda Communications Act.

Kalembe said the authorized vendors/dealers of such equipment would be required to display, at the point of sale, a valid vendor authorization and type approval certificate issued by the Commission.

He said the consumers around the country were encouraged to note the new DVB-T2 standard and therefore purchase set-top boxes that are compatible with the digital broadcasting platform.

Earlier on in May, Uganda issued a Public Notice of May 23, 2012, where the Uganda Communication Commission, in accordance with its mandate under the Uganda Communications Act (Cap 106) subsections 4 (1) and 4 (j), set the minimum DVB-T2 Digital set-top box Specifications for the Ugandan market.