FG rolls out digital broadcasting in Kano

The federal government has launched the digital switchover (DSO) project in Kano state.

A digital switchover is the migration from analogue television broadcasting technology to digital systems.

Kano is the second state in phase two of the DSO project.

The phase two of the DSO project took off in Lagos with the launch of the set-top boxes in the state on April 29.

The federal capital territory (FCT), Plateau, Kaduna and Enugu are also on the list for the first phase of the DSO project.

Speaking on Tuesday at the event in Kano, Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, said the switchover is aimed at creating a people-centered information society which would connect underserved populations and remote communities.

“The key benefits of digital television broadcasting are: wider choice in TV and radio channels, improved picture, e.g. HD, UHD and high-fidelity sound, greater flexibility with the potential for portable and mobile reception, enhanced information services including the electronic programming guide or enhanced ‘teletext’ services, potential for interactivity and increased market competition,” the minister said.

“We have also instituted a number of reforms, some of them necessitating amendments to the broadcasting code which we have since carried out, with a view to encouraging investments in the broadcast industry in particular and the creative industry in general.

“On Monday (yesterday), I received the good news that a federal high court in
Lagos has thrown out the case brought by some busybodies challenging our power to amend the broadcasting code.

“This laudable judgement has cleared the way for investments to flow into the broadcast industry.

“I want to use this opportunity to implore state governments to be at the vanguard of providing set-top boxes to their people. This is because the provision of set-top boxes is a social service that will take governance to the grassroots and bridge the information gap between the government and the governed, among other advantages.

“For Kano state in particular, with a population of over 15 million people, governance will be revolutionised if each of the 2.4 million television households can have a set-top box.”

On his part, Balarabe Ilelah, director-general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), said the DSO in Kano will create jobs for many residents of the state.

“Three days ago, 100 artisans from the 44 LGAs were trained on Free TV dealership, installation and activation,” he said.

“These are Kano state indigenes being empowered to take up the task of dealership, installation and activation of the set-top boxes in the homes, and those who end up as dealers may engage one or two others to work with.

“This is in tandem with the vision of his excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, on job creation.”

Also speaking, Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano governor, said his administration has studied the DSO and has identified areas it could use to promote digital technology in broadcasting.