Johannesburg – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published a discussion document on Digital Sound Broadcasting Services. The publication gives notice of ICASA’s intention to conduct an inquiry into the prospects of implementing a digital sound broadcasting service in South Africa.

Digital Broadcasting Service is an audio broadcasting technology aimed at providing superior quality sound broadcasting service using digital communication technology.

It differs from traditional analogue broadcasting service in that, digital signals can be transmitted successfully at lower transmitter power. Digital radio is also easy to use or tune in than analogue radio in the form of Amplified Modulation (AM) and Frequency Modulation (FM). Data capabilities of digital radio can be used directly or modified for other related broadcasting activities such as Internet Radio.

“The licensing of different forms of broadcasting services require a lot of spectrum, which is a scarce resource and ICASA continues to receive enquiries from the public about licensing processes therefore encouraging and assisting Council to make decisions to offer more services to provide for competition in the broadcasting sector”, says Councillor Dimakatso Qocha. If and when implemented, digital broadcasting services can improve spectrum efficiency and spectrum management; and offer choice for consumers or South African audiences.

Interested parties are invited to make written representations on the published Discussion Document on Digital Sound Broadcasting Services within forty-five (45) working days from the publication of the Notice in the Government Gazette.

A copy of the Discussion Document is available at ICASA’s Head Office library, 164 Katherine Street, Sandton; as well as at all Regional Offices. Click here to download the document.              Ends…

For media enquiries, please contact:

Paseka Maleka

011 566 3455

079 509 0702

pmaleka@icasa.org.za