NBC ‘sorry’ for digital switchover failure

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has apologised to Nigerians for its inability to switch over from analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) on the June 17 international deadline.

In a statement signed by Awwalu Salihu, director of public affairs, NBC promised to conclude the final stages of the switchover within 18 months as soon as funds are available.

These final-stage processes include the acquisition and local production of the set-top boxes, relocation of MMDS operators, buy-back of obsolete analogue transmitters and massive publicity.

It also revealed that it had worked with DigiTeam Nigeria to harmonise the minimum standards for set-top boxes and the transmission standards for all member states of the ECOWAS.

“The journey would have been completed if funding had been available,” it said.

“It is important however to state that the journey toward Digital Terrestrial Television has already started. At the moment, Nigeria has reached about 20 per cent penetration of the 26 million TV Households (TVHH) in the country,.

“It is noteworthy that the main penalty that Nigeria will face consequently is that analogue signals will receive no protection in the event of interference from digital signals from our neighbours.

“We have also completed the frequency re-planning, successfully done the coordination with our neighbours and have selected a second signal distributor.

”The commission has also put in place an EPG/STB control system to protect the investment of the local set-top-box manufacturers.

“Our goal is to enable the evolution of a digital television ecosystem that not only transforms television and broadcasting in general. But also able to help bridge the digital divide, create jobs and grow our national economy.”

NBC further assured Nigerians that it would only switch off analogue signals when majority of Nigerians can receive digital signals, adding that it had licensed a free view signals aggregator and selected 11 successful companies to manufacture set-top boxes in Nigeria.

The commission thanked stakeholders for their cooperation and appealed to Nigerians for their understanding. It also promised to do everything within its power to successfully take Nigerian broadcasting onto the digital ecosystem.

June 17 was the international deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for all the 119 member countries, including Nigeria, for switching over to digital terrestrial television.

Although, there is no sanction or punishment for countries that do not make the deadline; with this failure, Nigeria has abrogated its right to international broadcasting protection and would be obligated to resolve any interference occurring from its analogue broadcasting to neighbouring countries that have implemented the transition.