Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority
(TCRA) has named Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Tanga, Arusha, Moshi, Mbeya and
Mwanza as cities and towns which will receive TV broadcasting in a
digital format from December 31 onwards.
The authority has made
this announcement following the completion of studies and trials on the
digital broadcast in the respective towns and cities, saying results
were promising.
According to the Tcra, Morogoro Region has been
placed on trial while Mtwara, Lindi, Kigoma, Musoma and Iringa were
placed in the later implementation phase. Presenting a paper on the
digital migration during a training session for workers of the Ministry
of Communication, Science and Technology, Tcra Corporate Communications
Manager Mr Innocent Mungy explained that the regions which receive
digital broadcast are the same that are covered by the analogue network.
“24
per cent of the country is connected to the analogue system, 23 per
cent will receive the digital signal in the first phase. Overall, 76 per
cent of the country is not connected to any TV signal at the moment”,
he said.
The implementation phase faces several challenges, among
them the expenses of broadcasting both analogue and digital programmes.
Consequently, the Tcra argues that there is a need for a definite shift
towards digital broadcasting.
A further challenge is the
mobilisation of local content production, which is not very prominent at
the moment. Additionally, the import of electronic equipment which will
be superfluous after the shift needs to be stopped. Otherwise, the
Tanzanian market will be spoiled with these gadgets.
The shift
brings along expenses for private persons, though: they need to purchase
receivers, which cost between Sh 9, 000 and Sh 40,000, depending on the
broadcaster.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry of
Communication, Science and Technology, Dr Florens Turuka, urged
Tanzanians to buy the receivers at recommended prices.
SOURCE:THE CITIZEN
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