Union welcomes SABC digital set top box decision

Finally a decision has been made after how many years delaying, delaying. First conditional access that would put a burden on every South African, to probably register and verify if the user has an existing TV license. I am ready to mover over but what decoder do we need as a STB the standard used.
 
Q1. If its "free-to-air" why do I need to buy an SABC TV license to watch?

I have a TV (analogue), once the switch to DTT, I'll need a STB to decode the signal.
Q2. If I don't get at DTT-STB do I still need an SABC TV license even though I can't watch?

A. In terms of the Governments 'user pays principle' (see e-toll) I won't need to pay :)
 
Last edited:
Pity as they could have made it contingent on paying a license fee, and thus allowed anyone who has no interest in having access to the SABC simply not pay for a license. No more of all the nonsense of having to have a tuner removed and then pay SABC extortionists an exhorbitant fee to confirm the tuner is gone.
 
Its an election year, no way the SABC will come with a pay-for-view type setup. Will be same as telling all taxi's that they will also have to pay e-tolls.
 
SABC is already technically supposed to be pay for view. If it is supposed to be free, then they should scrap the license.
 
They should have scrapped the TV license long ago. There is little difference between it and the e-tolls. Both unbecoming of good governance.
 
OK, Now I understand, they have "R553 million" reasons to support "free-to-air" with no CAM.

If they encrypt the signal, they may pay DSTV "R553 million"
 
OK, Now I understand, they have "R553 million" reasons to support "free-to-air" with no CAM.

If they encrypt the signal, they may pay DSTV "R553 million"

Imagine if they encrypt the signal then every DSTV subscriber will have to submit supporting documents that he/she has valid TV license. Imagine how many subscripts will unsubscribe immediately if they do such practices.

If they do conditional access we know which route they will be going verifying that everyone purchasing a Top set box has a valid tv license in their position.
 
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter