South Africa is steadily progressing in its digital migration programme, transitioning from analogue to digital broadcasting, a move initiated by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). This transition, vital for enhancing broadcasting efficiency, was spurred by a global resolution adopted in 2006 at the Regional Radiocommunications Conference (RRC-06) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which South Africa and 100 other nations agreed upon.
According to Government of South Africa, countries were expected to complete their digital migration by June 2015, a deadline South Africa missed due to various challenges, including legal disputes. These obstacles, particularly disagreements over the encryption system in subsidised set-top boxes, led to legal challenges that reached the Constitutional Court. In 2017, the court ruled in favor of the government’s decision to use an unencrypted system, dispelling the notion that the government lacked urgency in the migration process.
Despite missing the ITU deadline, South Africa has avoided broadcasting blackouts or signal disruptions, thanks to bilateral agreements with neighboring countries to minimize cross-border radio frequency interference. The country is now actively installing set-top boxes in poor households, with applicants undergoing means tests to determine eligibility.
The digital migration aligns with South Africa's National Development Plan, aiming to create a robust, reliable, secure, and affordable ICT infrastructure. This shift promises to release valuable radio frequency spectrum for broadcasting and telecommunications, allowing more efficient spectrum use and offering more channels and content.
The move to digital broadcasting is seen as an opportunity to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas, connecting all South Africans more effectively through technology. The government remains committed to ensuring that digital television becomes a reality for all citizens, urging collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of this significant transition.