MNet in digital trial
MultiChoice recently launched a MNet DVB-T trial as part of the company’s preparation for the migration from analogue TV to digital TV. "As a result of national government policy which requires analogue broadcasters to migrate to digital, MNet together with the SABC and e-tv will be moving from the old analogue system to digital," says MultiChoice’s external communications manager Marilyn Watson.
The MNet trial involves a closed group of existing MNet subscribers. The trial is taking place in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and will soon be available in Pretoria as well. The trial has been running since November 2008 and MNet has been granted a temporary authorisation from ICASA until July 2009.
Watson said that the MNet pay TV trial is running parallel to the free to air trial being conducted by the SABC and eTV. "The broadcasters involved are working closely together to ensure technical and other issues are resolved before a commercial launch," said Watson.
The migration to digital television will affect all South African TV households currently receiving TV signals via the analogue system, including SABC, eTV and MNet viewers. These TV households will need to purchase a digital decoder – or set top box – to receive the digital signals.
The commercial launch of any digital TV services will however have to wait until the digital TV regulations are finalized. "We are currently in the trial phase. A commercial launch cannot take place until certain regulatory processes have been finalized," said Watson.
At the end of migration, all analogue terrestrial signals will be switched off. This will include MNet’s analogue service.
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