Govt signs agreement with KNET to commence work
The Ministry of Communications has signed an agreement with KNET Limited, a Ghanaian-owned private firm, for the commencement of work on the digital terrestrial television (DTT) network.
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Under the agreement, KNET Limited is expected to supply and install energy infrastructure, known as the Digital Video Broadcasting Second Generation Terrestrial (DVB-T2) network, to ensure the smooth migration to DTT across the country.
Executed at a cost of US$82.3 million, the project will be funded by digital dividends which will be realised through proceeds from the auction of spectrum to broadcasters.
The contract is US$13 million cheaper than the StarTimes contract which was to cost the country US$95 million, plus US$1 million interest for 22 years.
The project, approved by the Cabinet and other necessary authorities, will be completed in 12 months.
Satellite services
The Minister of Communications, Dr Edward Omane-Boamah, signed it on behalf of the government, while the Chief Executive Officer of KNET Limited, Mr Ken Ansah, signed on behalf of KNET Limited.
In his remarks, Dr Omane-Boamah explained that the terrestrial network would be complemented by satellite services to ensure that all areas were adequately served with digital TV signals.
“Upon completion of the network roll out, analogue and digital transmissions will run concurrently for a period not exceeding one year for the uptake of the digital system before a complete switch-off of analogue transmitters,” he stated.
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To ensure that analogue TV sets continued to be useful, he explained, the National Communications Authority (NCA) had certified decoders to help receive signal broadcasts in digital formats.
Benefits of the migration
Highlighting the benefits of digital formats of broadcast, the minister indicated that television viewing experience would be enhanced with better picture quality, clear sound and more channels.
He added that the roll out would create more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next two years and, therefore, urged the youth to take advantage of the project.
On the digital dividend, he explained that “the use of parts of the proceeds in financing the DTT network roll out eliminates the need for any loans, either concessionary or commercial, for this project and provides certainty on the implementation programme to the comfort of all stakeholders”.
Comprehensive public education and awareness materials for the migration from analogue to digital television had been designed, Dr Omane-Boamah said, adding that broadcasters should assist the ministry to sustain the public education.
For his part, Mr Ansah thanked the government for the confidence reposed in the company and gave an assurance that the work would be delivered on schedule.