South Africa’s Department of Communications & Digital Technologies has secured cabinet support for a further extension of the country’s analogue switch-off from 31 December 2024 to 31 March 2025.
The department says the extension will ensure that as many indigent households as possible will enjoy their right to access broadcast services.
Broadcasters and stakeholders have been informed.
Kwena Moloto, Communications and Digital Technologies Spokesperson admitted the delays had been costly at a time when the government could ill afford them. “There is no denying that the Broadcasting Digital Migration project has dragged on for far too long, costing the government R1.23 billion for dual illumination, which refers to the simultaneous transmission of both analogue and digital signals. This process is costly and cannot be sustained indefinitely.”
The postponement recognises the considerable delays that have plagued the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) project since its inception and provides the necessary relief that makes provision for more time to migrate as many South African as possible before the final switch off.
