As Nigeria failed to effect the proposed digital TV signal broadcast switchover this year, the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS in which Nigeria is a member-state has adopted June 17, 2017 as the new date for the massive transition. Since the announcement of the new date, reactions have continued to trail this new development.
Among these reactions are many Nigerians calling for a complimentary low subscription tariff to enable all levels of income earners benefit from the digital TV switchover. Earlier on this blog, I reviewed the features and benefits of a digital TV signal broadcast switchover. In order not to repeat the mistakes of the present times as seen in the digital telecommunication sector in terms of high tariff and service inefficiency, Nigerians are also calling for a unilateral regulatory agency that shall be proactive and subscriber-friendly.
It was on news that the failure of the country to successfully switchover to the digital TV signal broadcast platform was chiefly due to financial constraints. From my personal research, I discovered that only a one-time initial cost intensive procurement and installation of equipment and facilities is experienced. After that, the gains become immeasurable.
The government shall earn huge revenue from taxes and improved private sector involvement if the new digital TV signal broadcast era is well regulated. Low income-earning Nigerians shall enjoy super-rich digital TV entertainment packages without breaking their budget. All they shall require is a digital signal decoding set-top box similar to a conventional TV decoder. The federal government of Nigeria is currently making arrangements to ensure that affordable but quality set-top boxes are available for Nigerians in readiness for the digital TV signal broadcast change-over.
If you wish to know much more about this switch-over, read up “What is this Thing About Analog to Digital TV Signal Change Over in Nigeria“