By Emeka Mba
Despite being disruptive, digital Switch Over has also become a conveyor belt of opportunities not only for broadcasters and content producers but also to a wide array of other non-core broadcasters, as it opens up the industry to new investments in set top box manufacturing, application developers, nollywood producers, telecommunications companies, and many others.
According to Emeka Mba, digital switch over is not just about technology, it also about the provision of information services through broadcasting to our citizens, who require information now more than any time before for health, empowerment and even security.
Africa will benefit from opportunities to increase economic growth that will be brought about by the transition to digital broadcasting, says Emeka Mba. Substantial investments will come into the broadcasting and related sectors, a wide range of support services will emerge to cater to the sector and these will result in significant levels of job creation.
Given the current income levels of most Africans especially those in rural areas, who often live below the poverty line, it is a fundamental responsibility of governments to ensure that its citizens are not pushed further into digital darkness if they are unable to afford set top boxes to view free to air television services. This means that millions of households on the continent will be left without TV, further widening the divide, and leaving poor Communities even poorer.
For Nigeria, the disruption that digital switchover brings is complicated by the fact that Nigeria has one of the most active and diverse broadcasting industries in Africa. Consider that in Nigeria, there are over 400 radio and TV stations, made up of 244 free to air (FTA) TV stations, with incredible diversity of ownership spanning Federal Government, state governments and private commercial enterprise
Digital Licensing Framework
The transition from analogue to digital broadcasting is a global initiative that will result in several socio-economic benefits to every country that successfully transits. These include better viewing experiences; the delivery of a broader range of digital information and communications services to the population as a whole; and the opportunity for more interactive engagement with Government.
As it unfolds, digital broadcasting will transform how we watch television. It will create a lot of benefits for all stakeholders and accelerate the development not only the broadcasting industry but in the entire creative industries including but not limited to film, music, fashion, tourism, movies, etc. The creative industries have emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic economic sectors. The creative industries have facilitated cultural, social and economic development in the most developed economies.
It is also important to recognize that with the DSO, the provision and regulation of broadcasting services to meet general public expectations are inextricably intertwined with decisions made regarding the new digital broadcasting licensing framework, right transmission and reception equipment technology and standards.
Interoperability of digital interactive TV services
The NBC fully supports the concept of interoperability and recognizes the need for flexibility and consensus between all major players within the DTT value chain: broadcasters, multiplex operators, signal distribution companies, and other relevant market players so that effective interoperability can be achieved for the benefit of the end consumer. Therefore, multiplex licensees are expected to operate within a regulatory framework, which promotes and encourages interoperability through the use of open standards.
(d) Regulation of Electronic Programme Guide providers: The EPG becomes increasingly important as the main means by which viewers find their way through the multitude of channels and programmes.
(e) Mobile TV (DVBH)/data casting: The NBC recognizes that there is an increasing demand for mobile TV services in Nigeria and intends to make available spectrum for mobile TV services;
(f) Audience measurement & advertising: The long-term success of FTA DTTV depends largely on the robustness of the advertising market, and each service’s ability to source their own advertising revenue. The NBC shall work with various industry groups to establish a Joint Industry Committee (JIC) to set up a Broadcast Audience Research Board, which shall provide reliable data on estimates of the number of people watching TV, including which channels and programmes are being watched, where they are and the type of people who are viewing at any one time; fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory access to the EPG.
Protection of Broadcasting Spectrum
Today, the argument has moved from digital dividend to the protection of the broadcasting spectrum as the mobile industry continues to advance more arguments for the allocation of more spectrum for mobile and data deployment. The broadcasting industry must continue to defend our remaining ultra-high frequency (UHF) spectrum, as we need to ensure that every citizen has access to broadcast services, wherever they may be. Indeed, it is a fundamental right to have and enjoy access to information through broadcast services.
Enough time must be given for well-planned migration with due consideration of cost for any re-assignment and careful frequency planning to measure the resulting impact. The emerging demand for UHDTV services is one of such key areas. However, the only sustainable solution can be, if everyone uses the allocated spectrum more efficiently, and are capable of sharing the spectrum without causing interference.
Digital TV will usher in varying levels of convergence, which will disrupt existing business models as far as content production, distribution and monetization is concerned. A greater need for synergy is called for between broadcasting and telecommunications operators, especially given the fact that Nigeria has two distinct regulators for both sectors, since both services remain fundamentally different in terms of its market definition, economics and dynamics, not just in Nigeria but worldwide.
Conclusion
Nigeria have put all the necessary elements in place for a successful pilot DSO launch and to replicate the same in all major cities of the country. Indeed, Nigeria is confident that our march to digital TV, which has already started, will be successful and serve as shining example for other countries.
In Africa, information is not just about entertainment, it’s about access to health and education and often makes the difference between life and death; which is why as a regulator, the DSO offers us the opportunity to rethink, reimagine and remake broadcasting to serve our social and economic needs more efficiently in order to secure a more developed and socially cohesive country.
Emeka Mba is the former CEO of Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Abuja
Comments are closed.