The digital migration challenge
The news that came through a couple of days ago that Ghana’s migration from analogue to digital television transmission has stumbled again, must come as a disturbing development to stakeholders in the industry who, since three years ago, have keenly looked forward to meeting the changeover deadline of June 2015 set by the International Telecommunications Union.
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According to the latest development in a long string of stumbles, a Chinese firm which had been contracted to supply and install equipment has failed to deliver and the Ghana government has had to abrogate the contract.
Minister of Communications Dr Edward Omane Boamah is reported to have conceded that the Chinese company is unable ‘’to support Ghana’s migration from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting by the deadline of June 17, 2015.”
The minister however gave the assurance that efforts were being made to find an alternative arrangement to ensure that Ghana meets the deadline.
The minister’s optimism is admirable but unfortunately, we at Showbiz, watching goings-on from the sidelines since 2011, cannot share that optimism because it is most unlikely that between now and June, funds can be sourced for the supply and installation of equipment to complete the DTT platform for Ghana.
In our observation the whole migration effort has been mirred in indecision, misunderstanding, distrust and tardiness among government and stakeholder bodies. Showbiz can confirm that arriving at the decision over what type of platform to adopt for the country alone took more than a year to determine. Then followed another long indecision over funding and which company was to undertake the installation.
As matters stand now, it will take a miracle for Ghana to join other countries to realise the attainment of full digital status that is expected to open up the airwaves to enable citizens enjoy much improved telecast in terms of capacity, picture quality and sound output by June this year.
Indeed after that date, Ghanaians may be worse off when it comes to television viewing.
