Malawi Digital Network Limited (MDNL), a unit in the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture mandated to manage television signal aggregation and transmission has assured the general public that all is set for the country to meet the June 17, 2015 deadline in switching off television broadcast from analogue to digital.
The assurance comes amid uncertainties among the general public on this arrangement which seems little preparation has been made in sensitising the masses on digital migration whereby are required to disposal analogue antennas and purchasing a decoder called Set-Top-Box (STB) for them to start enjoying digital images on their screens.
Malawi is complying to the Geneva 2006 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) resolution that the entire world migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting by June 17, 2017 as the country-Malawi missed out already the South Africa Development Community (SADC) designated deadline of December 31, 2013.
When addressing Bwaira Media Club (BMC), a professional group of media practioners prying their trade in Malawi’s central region on Saturday, June 13, 2015 in lakeshore district of Salima, Denis Chirwa, MDNL’s National coordinator emphasized the need for Malawians to embrace digital migration for allowing simultaneous transmission of several television programs on an equivalent spectrum with quality pictures.
Chirwa said the switching off from analogue to digital will be in two phase, starting with Mzuzu (the northern region) and also Zomba with the rest of east region while in phase two Lilongwe (and the entire central region) and Blantyre (the while southern region) will join later after 90 days of the official date.
He said the company has set up STB (decoders) which would be used to transmit and carry 20 local channels to viewers at the cost of MK20,000 with free subscription such that once the switching off from analogue to digital is done, analogue antennas wont be in use.
“Malawians must accept the revolution of digital migration in the television industry. In fact, we are behind the SADC deadline of December 31, 2013 but we indicated that the nation at time wasn’t ready. Digital broadcasting will enable the creation of jobs through alternative business models such as content producers, signal distribution provider, content providers, ITC advertising and marketing.
“Malawians shouldn’t be worried with the STB cost as this has been heavily subsidized with a 40%. We are hoping that the price will be lowered based on seven local companies which have been given licenses of importing and selling the decoders to the general public. With several players in selling of these decoders, there will be competition hence decline in pricing”, assures Chirwa.
Speaking on the same event, Peter Makawa, BMC’s President applauded the MDNL for engaging the media to digital migration though abit late saying such collaboration will go along way in informing the general public on pros and cons of the development.
“Engaging the media on this important matter was a recommendable gesture the company has done although abit late as the switching off from analogue to digital is too close for the general public to understand. It seems sensitization to the general public hasn’t been done much on the whole concept which will have some complications in one way of the other. But all the same, the task ranges on with us in informing the masses to embrace the digital migration”, said Makawa.
Later the Maravi Post caught up with several residents of Zomba and Mzuzu on Monday evening on their readiness towards the switching from analogue to digital broadcasting on June 17, 2015.
“We are not much aware of the whole concept that analogue antennas will be no longer in use but rather new decoders. We don’t know where to buy them and at what price are they traded. It seems we are not ready for this. The nation could have done more on sensetising the general public unlike being caught off guard”, worried Sam Kwajama, a Zomba resident.
“Honestly, the price for these decoders is just too much for an ordinary Malawian. One is failing to buy a bag of maize, do you think will be able to produce MK20,000 just for a decoder? We need to be realistic towards people’s well-fare”, quarreled Mark Msimuko from Mzuzu.
But in an exclusive interview with the Maravi Post, Fredrick Ndala, Technical Advisor in the Ministry of information, Tourism and Culture said government was aware of concerns Malawians raised on digital migration saying with time life will be normal.
“We know all the concerns put across to government on digital migration but Malawi don’t have a choice on matter as we are complying with Geneva 2006 ITU resolutions which we signed. The nation must embrace the digital world by walking together with the MDNL. Sensitization will go on as we can’t do it at once the whole nation”, assures Ndala.
Digital migration is now with Malawi as the list of challenges cannot be exhausted yet benefits too are there and compelling which among of them is changing program formats and increasing social networking and interactivity between TV presenters and viewers.
