The final switch-over date from analogue to digital broadcasting could be delayed by at least a few months, communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda said on Tuesday.

This was due to a review of the technical standards currently being undertaken, he told the national assembly’s communications committee.

The department of communications surprised the broadcasting industry recently when it said it was no longer necessarily committed to the European digital video broadcasting terrestrial (DVB-T) standard, and indicated it was considering Japan’s integrated services digital broadcasting terrestrial (ISDB-T), too.

Any proposed change would also have to go to cabinet. If another standard was adopted, it would add a few months to the migration process, Nyanda said. “So, there is that likelihood. There are many things that can impact on the date. I think many people have been really sceptical about whether November 2011 is achievable,” he said.

“But before there is anything that is presented to at least the ministry and the minister, which says definitely that we can’t achieve that milestone, then we’ll work on that. When that happens, we’ll have to take this thing to cabinet, to say that November 2011 … is not achievable.

Pressed by MPs on why a change to the standards was now “suddenly” being considered, he said: “We can’t deny ourselves the opportunity as a country to investigate the best possible option. And once we do so, we will consider everything, including investments that have been made, on a cost-benefit basis. — Sapa