Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has
described the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the
Integrated Television Services Limited (ITS) and NTA-Star as a game
changer in the rollout of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) across the
country.
The Minister, who witnessed the signing of the MoU in Abuja on Monday,
said the DSO is now on a fast-track as ITS will henceforth utilize the
facilities and structures of NTA-Star for distribution of the DSO
signals.
“The MoU that has just been signed will fast-rack our rollout and take
the DSO to a higher pedestal. That’s why I described it as a game changer. With this MoU, ITS will utilize the structures and facilities
of NTA-Star, a terrestrial PayTV platform, spread across the country,
for signal distribution. In other words, ITS will henceforth become
the Signal Distributor in the structure of NTA-Star,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said that in essence, the signing of the MoU has given
effect to the Whitepaper on the DSO, which bars terrestrial payTV from
self-carriage in Nigeria.
He said NTA-Star, which has over 70 transmission sites spread across
35 states and the FCT, has effectively covered a large portion of this
country with their signals, adding that the Federal Government would
strive to cover at least 70% of the country with Digital Terrestrial
Television (DTT) signal and then deploy Direct To Home (DTH) to
provide 30% signal to areas in difficult terrains such as riverine and
mountainous areas.
The Minister said that with the signing of the MoU, the Set Up Boxes
(decoders) of NTA-Star will now have multiple encryptions, which will
enable viewers to enjoy FreeTV content alongside paid content,
stressing that the MoU will open the floodgates for channels to be
licensed by NBC, thereby creating jobs and enhancing television
experience with quality and compelling content.
He explained that the decision to transition from analogue to digital
television, following a treaty that was signed at the Regional
Radiocommunication Conference (RRC-06) in Geneva, Switzerland, on June
16, 2006, is aimed at creating a more equitable, just and
people-centered information society, which will connect underserved
populations and remote communities, thereby bridging the digital
divide.
“The key benefits of digital television broadcasting are: Wider choice
in TV and radio channels; Improved picture, e.g. HD, UHD and
High-Fidelity sound; Greater flexibility with the potential for
portable and mobile reception; Enhanced information services including
the Electronic Programming Guide or enhanced ‘teletext’ services (with
enhanced graphics); Potential for interactivity; and Increased market
competition and innovation, thanks to the potential arrival of new
entrants at different levels in the value-chain, for instance new
service providers, broadcasters, etc,” Alhaji Mohammed said.
The Chief Financial Officer of NTA-Star, Mr. Brolaleyn Linying Nan,
who represented the CEO of NTA-Star, signed on behalf of the
organization, while the General Manager of ITS, Engr. Sadeeq Musa,
signed on behalf of the organization.
The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by the Director General,
National Broadcasting Commission, Mallam Balarabe Ilelah; Acting
Director General of NTA and Chairman of NTA-Star, Mr. Abdulhamid
Dembos; Chairman, DIGITEAM Nigeria, Engr. Edward Amana; Chairman, Set
Up Box Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa and
General Manager, Pinnacle Communications, Engr. Olusegun Yakubu, among
other key stakeholders in the DSO ecosystem.
