The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), which regulates the country’s broadcast services, has unveiled a fresh draft of its Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) regulations
It announced recently that it has published a revised set of DTT policies, which will now face a fresh round of public consultation.
“Stakeholders have until July 30, 2012, to submit their written submissions to ICASA. In view of the urgency of finalising the regulations, the authority has decided it will not hold public hearings, and intends to finalize the DTT regulations by September 2012,” said ICASA in a press statement.
According to ICASA, there were two main changes to the regulations.
Firstly, it proposed the use of second Mobile Digital Terrestrial Television multiplex as a third DTT multiplex during the dual-illumination period to accommodate new entrants and, secondly, it was proposing the formation of a Digital Television Content Advisory Group to advise on the most effective ways to ensure the supply of digital television content.
The proposed changes have been brought forward in response to the Amended Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy that was made public in February 2012 when the country's minister of communications directed ICASA "to explore how best to introduce new services and licensees".
ICASA added that it would also like to test using original television content to encourage viewers to acquire set-top boxes and set minimum requirements for local television content on new digital TV channels during the dual-illumination period.
