Population:	47.9 million
Coverage:	18%

Last update: 03-09-2011

MobileTV has completed the technical tests of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) in the Gauteng  ‘much earlier, much robustly and equally successfully’, according to its founder and chairman Dr Mothobi Mutloatse. In August 2011, MobileTV submitted a technical report and an initial request towards formalising its application for a permanent commercial license.

MobileTV PTY has teamed up with SABC, the public service broadcaster in the country. SABC reaches 76% of the population daily and is by far the biggest broadcaster with 4000 employees. It is partially financed by a TV license, partially by ads.

SABC will provide their two main TV channels as well as a Sport channel and a News channel, both made in cooperation with MobileTV PTY. A horse racing company will add one channel whereas the official South African lottery company will have one gambling channel. MobileTV PTY has secured a number of sports rights in order to add to those owned by SABC.

The government of South Africa is looking at its media strategy, and has indicated a need to launch its own TV channel. This will be broadcast via MobileTV PTYs network.

The last TV channel will be an ‘on-demand’ one where attractive content can be watched live or stored on the device for later viewing. That brings the total number of mobile TV channels to 8.

MobileTV PTY is furthermore in dialogue with the Department of Education to evaluate whether the technology can be used for educational purposes, especially in order to reach rural schools and colleges in a cost effective manner. The Department is primarily interested in the abilities of data transfer, but an educational TV channel has not been ruled out.

MobileTV PTY sees big possibilities for interactivity for mid-end and high-end devices with a return channel via Wi-Fi or 3G. This particularly applies to the channels for horse racing and betting, although also to a lesser degree for votes, quizzes and touch screen advertisements. 

Radio

SABC will offer their 18 radio channels. MobileTV PTY wishes to also offer distribution for private radio stations following the launch. 

The signals for the transmissions bby SABC will cover more than 50% of the 50 million population by the end of the first year in operation. Coverage will thereafter be increased additionally. 

In this country there is

• National multiplex: 1 Trial

By late 1997, test transmissions started in both Band III and L-Band covering Johannesburg with a DAB signal. This established the first pilot trials in Africa. In November 1999 the demonstration audio services were replaced with seven live audio programme simulcasts of licensed FM and AM services currently on air in Gauteng. Included were commercial and public service broadcasters providing a mix of Talk Radio, Pop, Kwaito and Classical Music. Experimental PAD slide-show and dynamic label services were included on one audio service in May 2000. A two-transmitter Band III Single Frequency Network established in 2001 provided DAB coverage to approximately 18% of the South African population.

These test transmissions ended in 2006. 

The regulatory framework for digital radio in South Africa has yet to be established. The Digital Broadcasting Advisory Body (DBAB) established by the Minister of Communications completed its research into Digital Radio and Digital Terrestrial Television. The recommendations made to the Minister are available via the website of SADIBA,  the Southern African Digital Broadcasting Association that actively supported the above processes, lobbied stakeholders and shared information on systems and standards implemented world-wide.

In 2005 the Minister of Communications established a Digital Broadcasting Migration Working Group, comprising representatives from the broadcasting industry, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), government, civil society, organised labour and consumer groups.  Its aim was to develop recommendations and contribute towards the development of a national strategy for migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting.  The final report of the Working Group was presented to the Minister in November 2006 and is available at http://www.digitalmigration.gov.za.