The Federal Government has set December 31, 2012 as switchover date for the transition of analogue to digital Television Broadcasting, three years ahead of the International Telephone Union’s (ITU), of which Nigeria is a member and signatory, deadline of 2015 (UHF) and 2020 (VHF) for full transition worldwide.
The digitisation of analogue broadcasting signal is one of the most significant changes in broadcast environment to meet the current conventional trend of digital electronics, computers and tremendous flow of global information.
Aside from providing better picture and sound quality, the switchover to digital broadcasting offers clear advantages for both consumers and operators.
These advantages stem from the fact that it possible to process and compress digital data in a more efficient manner than was the case for analogue signals.
Consumer benefits from a wider choice of programmes from a greater number of channels and radio stations; improved flexibility of use thanks to better portable and mobile reception and services that are more interactive thanks to the improvement in IT services.
Others are the potential to contribute to serving the specific needs of the elderly or disabled by providing them with services such as better subtitling, audio commentaries or signing; lower sale prices for digital receivers and integrated television receivers; Price is increasingly becoming less of a barrier to acquiring such equipment.
For operators, switching over from analogue to digital television presupposes lower transmission costs in the future.
Already, Nigeria has taken the right step with the inauguration a 25-man advisory committee to ensure the smooth transition of the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.
The committee would recommend a policy on digital terrestrial broadcast transition using global best practices, recommend appropriate regulatory framework, recommend a national broadcasting model, assess the impact of digitisation on consumers and recommend possible government intervention, determine the quantum of expected digital dividend, assess the environmental impact of digitisation if any and recommend steps to be taken as well as advice government on any action relevant to smooth transition in Nigeria.
It however important for Nigeria to be more cautious in her approach to the deadline set by Nigeria for conversion from analogue to digital broadcasting, because even in the United States where it all started, there had been two shifts in dates.
The federal government should also be mindful of the huge investment involved in converting from analogue operating system to the new digital signals, so the government should not be rigid in its application of the deadline date so as to make it easier for broadcasters to comply.
There should be incentives for users to enable them enjoy the regime.