The South African Post Office has begun its programme to deliver the first set-top boxes as the country moves towards digital terrestrial television.
The set-top boxes will be delivered to households in the Northern Cape as part of a national roll-out to provide the technology to the underprivileged.
“The Post Office is due to deliver more than 2 000 set top decoders to households in the SKA area of the Northern Cape. This follows the launch of the first six set-top television decoders by the minister of communications Faith Muthambi to three households in Keimoes and three in Kakamas on 17 December,” the organisation said in a statement.
The SKA or Square Kilometre Array area falls into the specialised radio astronomy area earmarked by legislation as a priority for migration to digital TV.
“Frequency migration may be required in core and central astronomy advantage areas in terms of section 22(2) (c) of the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act,” says the general notice amendment to the Electronic Communications Act.
The Post Office will deliver 2 281 set top boxes to households with an income of less than R3 200.
“To qualify, the household members must be South African citizens, with a valid television licence. Further, applicants must bring their identity book, proof of address, proof of income (payslip) or an affidavit if they don’t have an income and television licence to their local post office when they register,” the Post Office said.
People who wish to follow up on the status of the devices may contact the Go Digital call centre at 0800 388 225. — Fin24