West African nation sets new deadline for analog switch-off

folarin okunola

June 22, 2015 12:37 PM

The extension is necessitated in order to allow broadcast houses offer their transmission from one free platform.

Analog TV

According to reports, the Ghanaian government has extended the country’s digital migration deadline to March 2016.

An AllAfrica report says that the extension is necessitated in order to allow broadcast houses offer their transmission from one free platform.

“The new migration would enable all broadcasting houses transmit on one free platform instead of broadcasting on different platforms which would help reduce cost, time and energy,” says Ato Sarpong, Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Communications. “After the completion of the installation of the infrastructure, government would allow a one year period to enable the public purchase the required facilities for the migration.”

Sources also say the minister also indicated that the first phase of digital migration which will involve the installation of infrastructure in Greater Accra and the Ashanti regions will be completed by October 2015.

The second phase covering Volta, Northern, UpperWest and UpperEast regions will be completed by November 2015 while the other regions will be covered between November and the March 2016.

In February, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) had announced that it will allow 30 African countries extend their digital migration beyond the original global deadline. The international deadline was set for June 17, 2015.

folarin okunola