The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the announcement today by the Minister of Communications, Roy Padayachee that South Africa will be adopting the DVB-T2 standard for the process of digital migration. This announcement has ended several months of speculation and uncertainty in the broadcasting industry, following the former Minister of Communications Siphiwe Nyanda’s sudden u-turn last year on the already gazetted policy position on the adoption of the DVB-T standard. We trust that this decision will restore confidence in the Department of Communications following the disastrous tenure of Nyanda.

The DA believes that it is of utmost importance that South Africa modernises both its broadcasting as well as telecommunications sector in line with international best practice. If the field of communications is developed to its full potential, it has great potential to enhance educational, business and other life opportunities as well as creating employment. DVB-T is considered the most advanced digital terrestrial migration system and most widely adopted across the world. The adoption of its successor, DVB-T2 will not only revolutionise South Africa’s broadcasting industry but also create employment, and therefore its acceptance is to be applauded.

We are, however, concerned that the minister has pushed back the date for the switch-over from analogue to digital television from November 2011 to December 2013. The DA will be issuing parliamentary questions to determine the reasons for the delay as well as the associated costs.