Communications regulator Icasa has published new regulations on digital terrestrial television. The regulations, published in the Government Gazette, are meant to promote diversity and competition in digital TV and set out how spectrum will be allocated to broadcasters.

They have been years in the making and represent an important step forward in South Africa’s long-delayed project to migrate from analogue to digital terrestrial television. They will allow Icasa to license new free-to-air and subscription terrestrial TV services, taking advantage of the efficient way that digital technology makes use of spectrum relative to analogue signals, which are to be phased out.

Capacity in multiplex one and multiplex three are being assigned to television broadcasting service licensees in order to promote diversity and competition on the digital TV platform, Icasa said.

A multiplex, or mux, is a chunk of spectrum allocated to broadcasting.

The first mux will be used by the SABC and community broadcasters, while the third mux will be allocated to commercial players.

In terms of the regulations, anyone that is allocated spectrum that doesn’t use it within 36 months will forfeit that capacity.

Up to 45% of the third mux is being reserved for “one or more commercial subscription television broadcasting service licensees”, while up to 55% is being set aside for one or more commercial free-to-air TV broadcasters.

Licensees that have been assigned capacity in either the first or third mux must apply to Icasa for authority to broadcast specific digital channels. Icasa may invite public comments and conduct hearings where it believes it is necessary in the “interests of procedural fairness”.

The regulations require broadcasters in the two muxes to offer an electronic programme guide to consumers. They also set out fines Icasa may impose on licensees that fail to comply with them. — (c) 2014 NewsCentral Media