The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has secured a 10 billion Naira grant from the federal government to boost Digital Switch-Over (DSO).
Director General of the NBC Mr Charles Ebuebu disclosed this Thursday at a joint press briefing the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC)Dr Aminu Maida, on Thursday in Abuja.
Ebuebu revealed that while Digital Terrestrial Television services have already been launched in eight states, this new phase will extend coverage to every corner of Nigeria using satellite technology.
He said the process to the switching over from analogue to the digital terrestrial television platform which began in Nigeria, in 2016, with the Digital switched on of Jos, Plateau state has been stalled due to enormous challenges.
In view of the challenges encountered in the past that President Asiwaju Bola approved a grant of 10 billion from spectrum sales by the to the National Broadcasting Commission.
He said the grant is not just a financial allocation but a testament to Mr. President’s collective commitment to driving technological advancement, economic growth, and cultural enrichment through the DSO project.
“This intervention is a testament to the visionary leadership of the President. It is a commitment to achieving a future where every Nigerian, regardless of their location, has access to superior broadband services and is included in the digital economy,” he said.
He noted that to accelerate this process, the Commission is in collaboration with the Nigeria Communications Commission.
“This collaboration signifies a strategic alliance and a unified effort to bring about a seamless transition to digital broadcasting and underscores NCC’s determination to support this monumental project and ensure its success,” he said.
He assured that the funds allotted to this project will be meticulously expended to ensure that each component of the DSO Eco-system contributes significantly to the realization of impactful digital dividends for our country.
While highlighting the key areas where the funds will be utilised, Ebuebu said “developing and managing channels that cater to diverse interests, including educational, children’s programming, comedy, shopping, sports, gaming, betting, and local language channels. This ensures a rich and diverse content ecosystem that resonates with our viewers.
“Leasing transponders and establishing a robust satellite backbone to ensure 100% signal coverage across Nigeria. This will expedite the Analog Switch Off and enhance accessibility to FreeTV services nationwide.
“Implementing advanced audience measurement tools to provide broadcasters and the industry with detailed insights into viewership patterns, preferences, and demographics.
“Creating awareness and ensuring a seamless transition through nationwide campaigns that educate the public about the benefits and implications of the Digital Switch Over.”
He said the funds will also be used to establish world-class studios across geopolitical zones in partnership with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), providing local content producers with an inclusive environment to thrive.
The funds will further be used for acquisition and distribution of hybrid Android/DTH set-top boxes with data connectivity functionalities, positioning them as gateways to a rich and diverse content ecosystem.
“Developing a user-friendly mobile application that allows viewers to watch FreeTV channels on handheld devices and access video-on-demand services.
“Upgrading the call center, equipped with the latest technology to efficiently handle customer queries and ensure the highest standards of service delivery.
“Conducting comprehensive training sessions and workshops for stakeholders, emphasizing the benefits of the DSO project and fostering collective progress during the digital transition,” he noted.
Furthermore, Ebuebu noted that adopting the digital broadcasting standards will align Nigeria with global norms, enhancing the country’s competitiveness and attracting foreign investments.