NBC sets 2028 deadline for nationwide switch to digital broadcasting

… trains installers on installation of Free TV to enhance process

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has declared 2028 as the deadline for the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting transmission nationwide.

The Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Clementine Wamba, made the declaration at the South West Digital Switch Over (DSO) community engagement and training of installers to facilitate the process in Ibadan at the weekend.

She stated that broadcasters would be shut out of analogue broadcasting transmission, hence the need for the training of installers that are professionals to assist in the process.

‘The Nigerians that are receiving signals through analogue, watching television through analogue, would no longer have access to that get decoder that can receive the signal after switching over from analogue’

Wamba stated that the installation of Free TV is to enable Nigerians to have access to many channels without subscription.

For effective take-off of the project nationwide, she said the NBC has embarked on the training of the installers of decoders and dishes nationwide.

“We are actually here to train installers specifically to be part of the digital switch-over process.

“We are doing it in conjunction with Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NigComSat). It is a joint outreach that we are doing here today.

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“We are doing it to ensure that they can properly track the NigComSat signal. We found out that installers are very critical to the success of the DSO project because we recently launched the DTH project. We are going DTT. We are going DTH. We are doing a mobile App.

“We found out that for the DTH, which is the one that can easily get to Nigeria homes without subscription right now after the launch. If they have their free-to-air decoder and the dish, they can point to NigComSat to get a signal.

“People cannot do this on their own because there are some technicalities involved; they need installers. For people to have access to the Free TV platform, they need installers to help them get that access. That is why installers have become critical to the project,” Wamba said.

In a sideline interview with the Installers who were present at the training, they lauded the gesture of the Federal Government through the NBC in providing the Free to Air TV and the training opportunities provided on its installation.

One of the trainees who is also a satellite installer, Raji Taoheed Olanrewaju, described the training as an eye opening which will create employment for the teeming youths in the country.

He said the Free TV will be of greater assistance to the low-income earners in the country as they will have access to many channels without subscription.

He commended the Federal Government through the NBC for the initiative, which is of benefit to the teeming Nigerians.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr Gbenga Oluduro said the training has provided him with the opportunities to learn more about the technicalities involved in the installation of digital decoders and dishes.