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South Africa - Details of Trials - History

04.10.2013

Harris Broadcast provided an on-air demonstration of DAB+ at the workshop held at the SABC headquarters in Johannesburg 16 July 2013.

Mobile TV PTY plans to expand trials in South Africa. The prospective broadcaster will launch high powered trials of DMB technology in the Free State and the Western Cape before the end of the 2013. In July 2012 they applied for a commercial license and expect to get an answer during 2013.

By late 1997, test transmissions started in both Band III and L-Band covering Johannesburg with a DAB signal. In November 1999 the demonstration audio services were replaced with seven live audio programme simulcasts of licensed FM and AM services currently on air in Gauteng. Included were commercial and public service broadcasters providing a mix of talk radio, pop, kwaito and classical music. Experimental PAD slide-show and dynamic label services were included on one audio service in May 2000. A twotransmitter Band III Single Frequency Network established in 2001 provided DAB coverage to approximately 18% of the South African population, these test transmissions ended in 2006.

Mobile TV Pty ran three DMB services and one DAB service on a test license. SABC provided their two main TV channels as well as a sport channel and a news channel, both made in cooperation with MobileTV PTY. A horse racing company added one channel and the official South African lottery company had one gambling channel. A number of digital radio stations from national and international broadcasters were also added. MobileTV PTY has secured a number of sports rights in order to add to those owned by SABC.

The government of South Africa is looking at its media strategy, and has indicated a need to launch its own TV channel. This would be broadcast via MobileTV PTYs network.

08.03.2013

By late 1997, test transmissions started in both Band III and L Band covering Johannesburg with a DAB signal. In November 1999 the demonstration audio services were replaced with seven live audio programme simulcasts of licensed FM and AM services currently on air in Gauteng. Included were commercial and public service broadcasters providing a mix of Talk Radio, Pop, Kwaito and Classical Music. Experimental PAD slide-show and dynamic label services were included on one audio service in May 2000. A two-transmitter Band III Single Frequency Network established in 2001 provided DAB coverage to approximately 18% of the South African population, these test transmissions ended in 2006. 

17.10.2012

By late 1997, test transmissions started in both Band III and L-Band covering Johannesburg with a DAB signal. In November 1999 the demonstration audio services were replaced with seven live audio programme simulcasts of licensed FM and AM services currently on air in Gauteng. Included were commercial and public service broadcasters providing a mix of Talk Radio, Pop, Kwaito and Classical Music. Experimental PAD slide-show and dynamic label services were included on one audio service in May 2000. A two-transmitter Band III Single Frequency Network established in 2001 provided DAB coverage to approximately 18% of the South African population, these test transmissions ended in 2006.