Botswana’s government plans to spend 125 million Pula to implement digital migration ahead of the June 2015 deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Assistant minister for presidential affairs and public administration, Philip Makgalemele told parliament that the project entails upgrading the entire broadcasting supply chain.

According to Makgalemele, the transformation wave will give a facelift across boards from studios to transmitters, to digital format, ahead of the ITU deadline.

“The project also includes the establishment of a second television channel, the procurement of content for Botswana Television (Btv), procurement of high definition studios, acquisition of digital television transmission equipment and upgrading of satellite uplink to a digital platform,” said Makgalemele.

He further said apart from upgrading works, government will embark on public education on digital migration and development of a relevant policy.

Makgalemele added that other components to be funded include training on digital technologies to equip the workforce for a smooth transition to digital broadcasting.

Four million pula of the budgeted 125 million pula has been earmarked for upgrading the outside broadcast facility.

“This goes hand in hand with the whole exercise of upgrading the rest of the television equipment to digital format,” Makgalemele said.

Botswana anticipates that DTT will become an additional driver in the country’s efforts to transform into an e-society and is putting in place administrative structures, to be led by a digital migration implementation office and task force to fast track project delivery.