South Africa - Current situation - History
09.04.2019
South African regulator endorses transition to digital radio
ICASA published in April 2019 the findings of its inquiry into the deployment of digital radio in South Africa, stating that spectrum scarcity and high transmission costs necessitate the consideration of digital radio. ICASA will develop draft regulation on implementation during the current financial year (2019/20).
In 2018, the Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) Council Committee was formed, the purpose of which is to make progress towards expanding regulatory scope for digital sound broadcasting technologies, and accommodating additional sound broadcasters in conventional and other frequency bands. As part of the enquiry the DSB committee conducted international study visits to Australia, Germany, Norway, USA and United Kingdom.
Johannesburg / Pretoria trial renewed
The National Association of Broadcasters (the NAB) and Southern African Digital Broadcasting Association (SADIBA) are currently engaged in a DAB+ trial in the Gauteng province (Johannesburg and Pretoria) and a new greenfield DAB+ trial for Cape Town.
In January 2019, it was announced that the Johannesburg / Pretoria South African DAB+ trial had been granted a new license. The license, renewed as of 30 January 2019, is valid for a period of eight months, with the possibility of a six-month extension.
31.01.2019
Introducing digital radio in South Africa
The Department of Communications South Africa published on the 28 September 2018 a notice inviting comments on its policy directive regarding the introduction of Digital Sound Broadcasting in South Africa. Interested parties are invited to make submissions on the suitability of the recommended digital sound broadcasting standards to complement the respective analogue sound broadcasting services. After considering the extensive trials undertaken by the sound broadcasting industry, ICASA (the South African broadcasting regulator) recommends the following digital sound broadcasting standard to compliment the respective analogue sound broadcasting service: DAB+ to complement VHF sound broadcasting services in the band 214 MHz to 230 MHz.
A statement regarding digital radio was issued on 25 June 2018 by the South African Minister of Communications the Honourable Nomvula Mokonyane. Following the successful trials in South Africa of digital radio broadcasting technologies including DAB+, communications minister Nomvula Mokonyane said she will issue a policy directive to the regulator, ICASA, in the next few weeks to pave the way for the development of a licensing framework.
Access the full statement here. https://www.doc.gov.za/print/8898
ICASA Industry Consultation 2018
South Africa's regulator ICASA solicited industry responses to its consultation paper on implementing digital radio - the deadline for submissions was early June 2018 - access the full paper here.
DAB+ Trial License awaiting a decision on a new 8 month licence for the Province of Gauteng and a new greenfield 8 month licence for Cape Town
The Broadcast Regulator the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has received applications for two new 8 month licences for Gauteng and Cape Town. A decision on these two applications is awaited.
The National Association of Broadcasters (the NAB) and Southern African Digital Broadcasting Association (SADIBA) are currently engaged in a DAB+ trial in the Gauteng province (Johannesburg and Pretoria) and a new greenfield DAB+ trial for Cape Town.
In 2018, the Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) Council Committee was formed, the purpose of which is to make progress towards expanding regulatory scope for digital sound broadcasting technologies, and accommodating additional sound broadcasters in conventional and other frequency bands.
Johannesburg / Pretoria trial renewed
In January 2019, it was announced that the Johannesburg / Pretoria South African DAB+ trial had been granted a new license. The license, renewed as of 30 January 2019, is valid for a period of eight months, with the possibility of a six-month extension.
05.12.2018
Introducing digital radio in South Africa
The Department of Communications South Africa published on the 28 September 2018 a notice inviting comments on its policy directive regarding the introduction of Digital Sound Broadcasting in South Africa. Interested parties are invited to make submissions on the suitability of the recommended digital sound broadcasting standards to complement the respective analogue sound broadcasting services. After considering the extensive trials undertaken by the sound broadcasting industry, ICASA (the South African broadcasting regulator) recommends the following digital sound broadcasting standard to compliment the respective analogue sound broadcasting service: DAB+ to complement VHF sound broadcasting services in the band 214 MHz to 230 MHz.
A statement regarding digital radio was issued on 25 June 2018 by the South African Minister of Communications the Honourable Nomvula Mokonyane. Following the successful trials in South Africa of digital radio broadcasting technologies including DAB+, communications minister Nomvula Mokonyane said she will issue a policy directive to the regulator, ICASA, in the next few weeks to pave the way for the development of a licensing framework.
Access the full statement here. https://www.doc.gov.za/print/8898
ICASA Industry Consultation 2018
South Africa's regulator ICASA solicited industry responses to its consultation paper on implementing digital radio - the deadline for submissions was early June 2018 - access the full paper here.
DAB+ Trial License awaiting a decision on a new 8 month licence for the Province of Gauteng and a new greenfield 8 month licence for Cape Town
The Broadcast Regulator the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has received applications for two new 8 month licences for Gauteng and Cape Town. A decision on these two applications is awaited.
The National Association of Broadcasters (the NAB) and Southern African Digital Broadcasting Association (SADIBA) are currently engaged in a DAB+ trial in the Gauteng province (Johannesburg and Pretoria) and a new greenfield DAB+ trial for Cape Town.
In 2018, the Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) Council Committee was formed, the purpose of which is to make progress towards expanding regulatory scope for digital sound broadcasting technologies, and accommodating additional sound broadcasters in conventional and other frequency bands.