NBC Engages UK Firm to Provide Common Set-Top-Box System

National Broadcasting Commission, (NBC) has engaged the services of Inview Technologies Limited, a UK based Software Company for the provision of a national Common Set-Top-Box system.

The NBC made this known sequel to the signing of a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commission and the software company.

According to NBC, the agreement, will see Inview Technologies Limited in collaboration with MTS Communications Limited, a consortium of Nigerian Broadcasters, present the software for the provision of key services, such as collection of annual Digital Content Access Fee (DCAF); Conditional Access System (CAS); Electronic Programme Guide (EPG); Push Video-On-Demand on DTT; Interactive Advertising and carry out audience measurement amongst other added services.

Inview Technologies specialized in advanced EPGs for digital TV; interactive broadcast, and IP services and solutions for Pay-TV; analogue switch off market and their TV platform allows television broadcast and internet content to be concurrently accessible to the viewers.

Essentially, NBC said the agreement would help it give birth to the national Set-Top-Box platform that will enable commonalities for all digital television services in the country.

Thirteen Companies  were said to have originally bidded for the digital TV System, which comprised Set Top Box (STB) software and Integrated digital TV (IDTV) Broadcast Services designed to deliver a national Common STB/DTV Control and Consumer Access Fee Mechanism; and Critical Additional Services Over the Digital Terrestrial and Satellite Networks in Nigeria.

However, Director General NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba in his remarks, described the event as the peak of many months of consultation and decisive steps taken towards the digital switchover in Nigeria.

He emphasized that the Commission through this agreement wish to create the biggest TV platform in Nigeria and around the African continent.

The signing of the agreement, he said was paramount to moving closer towards the DSO and help to give birth to the national set top box platform that would enable commonalities for all services in the country.

The NBC boss, however, reaffirmed that the Commission under his tenure would ensure that it meets its obligations and urged the company to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of the agreement in fulfilment of the yearnings of the Commission and Nigerians in general.

He said the Commission was committed to the transition of a smooth switchover to Digital terrestrial television broadcasting in Nigeria.