According to Joseph Katema, Zambia Minister of Information and Broadcasting, the goal of having a fully integrated Zambia digital broadcasting network is on schedule and the projected deadline of switching from analogue to digital broadcasting by June 2015 is achievable and the government is committed to ensuring public access to information through the installation of transmitters.
In line with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) deadline and as a part of the government-funded program, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) has launched dual analogue-digital transmitters in Chingola, Ndola, and Kitwe.
“The new transmitter is a dual-cast, meaning that it has both analogue and digital transmission facilities,” said Hon Katema, “This is a significant step towards Zambia’s digital migration process and we are on course to meet the deadline.”
The Zambian government has given Star Software Technologies Company of China a contract that has been valued at USD 9,554,124 for the supply, delivery, installation, and commission during the first phases of the digital migration project in an eight month project that will include the installation of equipment along the rail line from Chililabombwe to Livingstone.
According to the Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Bert Mushala, the migration project will be completed in three phases and arrangements are currently being made to ensure the implementation of the remaining two phases in time to meet the June 2015 deadline.
