Buhari Launches Digital Switch- On Broadcasting
The president and Commander in chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces of the Federation, Mohammadu Buhari is scheduled to formerly launch the digital Switch- on of Broadcasting in Abuja Thursday, 22 December 2016.
The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) I’shaq Modibbo Kawu in a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja disclosed that the President will launch the roll out of the transition from Analogue to Digital broadcasting in the FCT bringing to rest the days of analogue broadcasting in the country.
He said the journey to this date has been a long but rewarding one as the pilot phase of the DSO was launched in Jos, Plateau state on the 30th of April 2016 with 15 channels and the Signal Distributor Company ITS (Integrated Television Services) taking up the challenge of Signal Distribution.
“Since then the people of Jos have continued to enjoy Digital Television Services, a service for which I am sure they are grateful to the Federal Government.
It is our belief that the transition has brought about renewed entertainment, education and potential economic opportunities for the people of the state and indeed Nigeria.
As we move to Abuja, we are committed to increase the status. We shall be offering 30 television channels in Abuja, these will cover entertainment, sports, News and movies”, he said.
Kawu commends the efforts of Pinnacle Communications who are the Signal Distributor for the Abuja project who he said has worked tirelessly and invested massively in getting the transmission infrastructure on ground for this roll out.
The DG who reiterated the readiness of the switch- on said, “As at today about 200,000 Set of Top Boxes have been effectively distributed at the various distribution centers across Abuja, with an additional 450,000 waiting to be distributed from the date of switch- on.
“We plan to give 30 channels here in the FCT, but there are currently 28 channels running on two multiplexes of the signal distributor. Field strength test indicate that the signals are covering most parts of the FCT and viewers with activated boxes can receive signal. Let me say however that those with low signals in their areas will need external antennas that will give them clear signals”, Kawu said.
He further stressed that the Call Center which operates 24 hrs, the Outsource Company has gone live since December 15th, 2016; viewers he advised can call the numbers and receive services or have their boxes activated.
The DG said our test signals are already up and running and all the channels fully on air with clear signals and quality sound adding that, “This is not a pilot scheme”.
