South Africa’s digital TV set-top box installation project has raised questions regarding payment to installers. The South African government has revealed that VAT-registered installers receive R450 per installation, while non-VAT-registered installers are paid R390. The Communications Minister, Mondli Gungubele, confirmed that 855 companies have been appointed to carry out set-top box installations as part of the country’s digital migration project.
Gungubele also acknowledged that some installers have failed to fulfill their contractual obligations, but measures have been taken to rectify the situation, including contract cancellations for some companies. The full list of appointed installers and defaulting companies can be found on the government’s website.
The digital migration project aims to provide decoder-like devices, known as Set-Top Boxes (STBs), to households that require them to convert digital TV signals into a format compatible with older televisions that have analog tuners. The project has faced delays, with a significant number of subsidized STBs still needing to be installed as of November 2022.
Former Communications Minister, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, announced a new deadline for the long-awaited analogue switch-off, setting it for March 31, 2023. However, current Communications Minister Gungubele has since extended the deadline to June 15, 2023, with plans to switch off all analogue TV broadcasts by December 31, 2024.
The digital migration project has faced numerous challenges and missed several deadlines since it was first announced in 2006. Only two deadlines have been met so far, with the Broadcast Digital Migration Policy being published late, and digital terrestrial television being switched on by Sentech as scheduled.
The project’s delays have raised concerns about the degradation of connectivity and reports of cross-interference between broadcasting and IMT services. The government is striving to resolve these issues and ensure a smooth transition to digital broadcasting.
As the digital migration project continues, it is crucial for the South African government to address the challenges faced and adhere to the revised deadlines. The successful completion of the project will bring improved television services and pave the way for technological advancements in the country’s broadcasting sector.
