DSO: NBC receives first batch of STBs

A clear signal that the planned Digital Switch Over (DSO) from analogue television to digital platform will be met in June next year has emerged.
This is as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has taken delivery of the first batch of Set-Top-Boxes (STBs) delivered by SMK Engineering Limited and Gospell Digital Technology Limited ahead of the launch of the Jos pilot city Digital Switchover, soon.
Receiving the boxes, the Acting Director General of NBC, Ms. Alheri Saidu, accompanied by the Commission’s Board of Management noted that “Today is a significant day for the Commission. The day we all had been looking forward to. We are also happy with you the licensees because you actually gave this assignment all the seriousness it deserves.”
She pointed out that, “This will now show to Nigerians that we are serious about Nigeria going Digital. Today, we thank God we have the first sets of evidence of our seriousness towards the digital switchover.
She expressed excitement at the prospect of meeting the deadline of June 20, 2017 and thanked the licensees for their commitment and tenacity.
“Jos is a must for us. The plan we have for Jos launch will certainly be attained,” she added.
In his response, the Managing Director of Gospell Digital Technology Limited, and chairman, Set-Top-Boxes Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, demonstrated the features of the Set-Top Boxes (STB), detailing its advantages and method of operation. He noted that these were high standard boxes that were among the best one could get in the West African sub-region, whose features and quality were comparable to any in the world.
Sir Ohuabunwa noted that the association was very proud that delivery had begun successfully. He explained that the remaining sets would be cleared and delivered to the Commission before the end of the month.
SMK Engineering, which is the second company at the event, delivered 50,000 boxes to Nigeria, for this process.
The epoch making ceremony was concluded with a ceremonial hand over of the truckload of set-top-boxes to the custody of the Commission.
At the delivery ceremony were representatives of Cable Channels Nigeria Limited (CCNL); Newline; INVIEW Nigeria, each of whom has a critical role to play in the acquisition and deployment of the set-top-box and the digital switchover.
Industry watchers are upbeat that this is a renewed effort by the Commission to meet the new deadline of June 20, 2017, agreed to by the West African Sub region, in an effort to meet the ITU mandate to switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting. It would be recalled that the Commission under the leadership of the former DG, Mr. Emeka Mba, had licensed about 13 firms who are to import the first set of the STBs and latter begin the local manufacturing.