Source: ‘Zim far from digital migration’ – DailyNews Live
Maxwell Sibanda 22 May 2017
HARARE – Zimbabwe is far from digital migration in accordance with the
International Telecommunications Union, as the country is still to
complete the process nearly three years after the deadline, experts said.
The country was required to migrate from the current analogue broadcasting
technology to the digital broadcasting technology by June 17, 2015.
The migration is meant to ensure the country adopts international
standards for broadcasting and content distribution through digital
channels.
A total $125 million is required for the digitalisation project and the
funds were secured through the sale of digital spectrum to one of the
State’s mobile network operators – NetOne.
During recent tours of base stations by the Zim-Digital team comprising
deputy minister Thozile Mathuthu, permanent secretary George Charamba,
senior officials from BAZ and national broadcaster ZBC, among others there
were several glaring gaps which showed that the process is still far away
from being complete.
Veteran broadcaster John Masuku said what indicated that Zimbabwe is not
on track with the project is that some structures and tender award systems
were condemned to the point of contractors doing a repeat job.
“There must have been flaws in awarding tenders to inexperienced companies
or opportunists and this renders most of them very dangerous,” he said.
“Zimbabweans who live outside urban areas are missing a lot with regards
to local news and content and may lag behind regarding current issues,” he
said.
Media analyst Tabani Moyo weighed in saying: “Digital migration is
supposed to support a competitive opening up of the broadcasting sector as
we move away from analogue to digital signal and spectrum management.”
“The government must stop protecting ZBC in the digital migration process;
instead government must open competition to the beleaguered broadcaster so
that it improves quality and reach,” he said.
“…to this end, we are way beyond the deadline. We therefore demand a
report on the management of the digital dividend outlining the progress or
lack thereof,” Moyo said..
Analyst Rashweat Mukundu said: “Digitisation is a costly exercise that
needs total government support, yet the government is seriously
constrained in terms of resources. The matter has equally not found public
support because the process and intended outcomes are somewhat secretive.
The secrecy can equally be taken advantage of by treasury to defer
financial support as is the case.”
Media practitioner Nigel Myamutumbu weighed in saying there is evidently
no urgency on the part of government to complete the digital migration
programme.
“The amount allocated to this process by treasury demonstrates how
digitalisation and opening of the airwaves is not a priority for
government and if anything the state is content with the status quo.”
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