Pace plc is working with MultiChoice Africa to support MultiChoice’s launch of its GOtv offering, which is bringing digital TV services to terrestrial subscribers in Sub-Saharan Africa
It is doing this via Pace’s next generation set-top boxes, capable of receiving DVB-T2 standard transmissions. The new set-top box is the first to deliver the latest digital terrestrial television into Sub-Saharan African homes, increasing consumers’ service reliability and content choice, and making digital TV a mass-market reality for the first time.
The DVB-T2 set-top box gives terrestrial television viewers the ability to receive more channels, will provide reliable and better quality television service to viewers across Sub-Saharan Africa, and will ensure a better service reception level. The device will also enable new services including Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) and multi-language features.
The launch of the DVB-T2 set-top box supports the migration of analogue to digital terrestrial transmission and will enable the attainment of analogue switch off scheduled for 2015. The DVB-T2 infrastructure will also provide a platform for operators to further develop their services in the future. The new generation of Pace set-top boxes has supported the launch of GOtv in Lusaka, Zambia in June and Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda in August, with further market launches planned by MultiChoice over the coming months.
Strong heritage
Pace, a leading developer of technologies, products and services for global broadband and broadcast markets, has a strong heritage in the creation and supply of DVB-T2 technology. In 2008, Pace developed the first set-top box prototype capable of receiving and displaying T2 content, and in May 2010 introduced the first DVB-T2 PVR set-top boxes to the UK market with Freeview HD. Pace also played a central role in drafting the DVB-T2 global standard, and helped to update the UK’s D-book technical specification to include the T2 standard.
Shane McCarthy, General Manager at Pace, comments, “As a pioneer in DVB-T2 technology and a long-time partner to MultiChoice, Pace has both the technical knowledge and the local market understanding to deliver the most effective next generation service to MultiChoice and its subscribers in Sub-Saharan Africa. This launch is a critical step in bringing digital TV services into thousands more homes in this region and we’re delighted to help drive this change.”
Collins Khumalo, President of MultiChoice Africa added, “We’re really excited about the launch of DVB-T2 transmissions and the opportunity it offers us to provide a greater variety of programming to our subscribers through a more reliable broadcasting system. Pace’s history in DVB-T2 technology makes it the perfect partner to deliver this.”
