Botswana has ordered digital terrestrial television broadcasting transmitters from a Brazilian company as part of the country's preparation to meet the international deadline on digital migration.

Hitachi Kokusai Linear Equipamentos Eletrônicos S/A (HKL), a Brazilian subsidiary of Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc, has confirmed that it has received a package order for digital terrestrial television broadcasting transmitters from Botswana TV, a state-run broadcasting station.

"The package order HKL received included the design, production, installation and construction of all of the digital transmitters located in 45 transmitting stations in Botswana," said HKL president and chief executive officer, Manabu Shinomoto in a statement.

"HKL's 45 digital transmitters will be gradually delivered from March to June in 2015 in an effort to create an environment for viewing digital television broadcasting in Botswana."

In February 2013, Botswana adopted Japan's ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting - Terrestrial) standard as their digital terrestrial television broadcasting standard.

Botswana anticipates that DTT will become an additional driver in the country's efforts to transform Botswana 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.

However, Botswana 's decision to adopted the Japanese Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial (ISDB-T) standard for digital terrestrial television instead of the European standard, favored by many of its neighbours, prompted sharp criticism from a South African industry body.

In 2013 the Southern African Digital Broadcasting Association (SADIBA) said the decision will burden citizens with unnecessary costs, reduce the prospect of costs dropping in future, and reduce the benefits possible from the transition to digital.