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Digital Migration made easy

Case Study: The State of Digital Broadcasting in Brazil

The National Association of Broadcasters has appointed Farncombe Strategy, a UK based consultancy with extensive ties in the Brazilian market, to compile an independent report on the status of digital television in Brazil. The NAB commissioned this report in view of the South African government reviewing its 2005 decision on the DVB-T standard and its consideration of other standards such as the ISDB-Tb standard used in Brazil.

Related Items:
Case Study: The State of Digital Broadcasting in Brazil

The NAB is a non-profit organisation funded entirely by its members.  We regularly engage with policy makers on behalf of our members in order to promote an industry grounded in the principles of democracy, diversity and freedom of expression.

Over eighty organisations belong to the NAB and hundreds of individuals working in broadcasting and associated industries involve themselves in our activities. The NAB therefore has access to a wealth of knowledge on broadcasting in South Africa and as such, is able to advise members on a variety of issues.

The NAB provides high quality information on latest developments in the industry concerning the Regulator, ICASA, Government and Parliament.

We also interact with our other stakeholders including advertisers, agencies, producers and performers in order to optimise South Africa’s cultural and communications industries to the benefit of all.

ICASA's Chairperson Media Statement

The Chairman of ICASA has on 08 February 2012 issued a media statement setting out the regulatory certainty with regards to:

1.   The Ministerial Directive on Licensing of Combined
       800MHz and 2.6 GHz
2.   ICASA’s Review of the Broadcasting Regulatory Framework
3.   Radio Spectrum Fees Regulations
4.   Collection of Licence Fees
5.   Call Termination Regulations
6.   ICASA Confiscates Illegal Communications Equipment 

Of particular concern for the NAB, is the status of the ICASA’s review of the broadcasting regulatory framework, in the wake of the media statement issued by the Minister of Communications, Minister Dina Pule on 24 January 2012. To this end, the NAB issued a letter of concern to ICASA, alerting the Authority to the potential conflict that might arise should the two processes run side by side.

The Minister amends the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy

The Minister of Communications, Minister Dina Pule, has on 07 February 2012, published an Amendment of the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM)Policy. The initial BDM Policy was published in August 2008. The amendment has been necessitated by amongst others the change in the digital broadcasting standard that has been adopted by the country.  See gazette under Final Regulations.

ICASA ITA for Sound Broadcasting in Primary Markets

The Authority has in accordance with section 9 of the ECA, issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the commercial free to air sound broadcasting service licences, in primary markets. This time around ,the advertised frequencies are MW frequencies. This is pursuant among others, to ICASA’s   decisions on its notice for the re-categorisation of MW frequency. In this notice, ICASA took a decision to issue an ITA for  free to air commercial sound broadcasting service licences.

The advertised frequencies, and applicable areas  are as follows:
Johannesburg/Pretoria: 702Khz and 540 kHz
Durban/Pietermaritzburg: 603kHz and 801 kHz
Cape Town: 828kHz and 666kHz

The closing date for the applications is 04 July 2012.

ICASA's invitation to apply for pay TV

On 02 February, ICASA published a government gazette inviting interested parties to apply for subscription broadcasting services.  The closing date for applications is 11 July 2012.
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The NAB submission to ICASA’s Issues Paper
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Proposed enforcement guidelines for the National Consumer Commission (the NCC)
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ASA Code Review
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Draft Compliance Procedure Manual
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