Uganda’s Communications Commission (UCC) has revised earlier standards set for the importation of DVB-T2 set-top boxes as the country prepares to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting.
In accordance with its mandate under the Uganda Communications Act, the commission on June 12, 2012 adopted and communicated the minimum specifications for set-top boxes for use in digital broadcasting in the country based on the DVB-T2 standard.
The media and public relations specialist for the Uganda Communications Commission Isaac Kalembe said on Friday that in the earlier specifications, it was a requirement that all set-top boxes should have “at least one embedded smart card reader or a DVB-CI (Common Interface) slot to allow any type of conditional access module to be plugged into the set top box.”
Kalembe explained that after conducting studies, the regulator has; however, revised the minimum specifications for DVB-T2 set-top boxes.
“Accordingly, the conditional access feature is optional for DVB-T2 set-top boxes intended for use to receive Free to Air (FTA) TV content on the digital terrestrial platforms in Uganda.
“However, the feature remains mandatory for DVB-T2 set top boxes that are intended for use to receive premium content or pay/subscription TV on the digital terrestrial platform,” Kalembe said.
UCC further added that vendors of equipment should cease importation of DVB-T set-top boxes into Uganda while urging them to hear correct directives from the government.
DVB-T is the more mature DTT standard that is being replaced by DVB-T2. DVB-T2 is a newer system that provides the benefit of the best technical performance and the highest efficiency.
Kalembe said all equipment suppliers and vendors should obtain type approval of the set-top boxes from the Uganda Communications Commission.
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