Sierra Leone News: Parliament Agrees For Sierra Leone to Move from Analog to Digital
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Oct 9, 2017
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By Stephen V. Lansana
The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 5 October 2017 ratified an Agreement aimed at moving the country from analog to digital with the view of improving and enhancing all forms of the communications infrastructure in the country.
In presenting the Agreement prior to ratification, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr Mohamed Bangura said that ratifying the Agreement will save the country from being suspended from the Information Technology Union ( ITU). He said that the ratification of the agreement will increase internet bandwidth astronomically, help SLBC to move from analog to digital with the aim of extending transmission nationally and internationally.
The following Agreement was approved by the House: Joint Venture Agreement between the Ministry of Information and Communications Representing the Government of Sierra Leone and WTS Media Group Limited (Care of World Trade Services Limited), a Limited Liability Company Having its Registered Office in United Kingdom.
Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said that the Agreement is a joint venture between Government and WTS to enhance the digitalization process in the country through the Public-Private-Partnership arrangement.
He said if the Agreement is not ratified in five months, modern internet facilities will be shut down in Sierra Leone, whilst speaking on the need for digital migration with the aim of promoting education, entertainment and the harmonization of information dissemination in the country.
Hon. Navo Kaikai raised concerns on some of the provisions in the Agreement such as the provision of land and tax exemptions.
In reacting, Hon. Karifala Sheku Conteh said that the cost of the investment far outweighs that of the land that will be provided by Government. That the Agreement makes provision for the operation of 20-Channels, two of which will be local with possibly one dedicated channel to air debates and to educate the public about the functions of Parliament.
He also said that the Agreement will improve the entertainment industry in the country, and enable SLBC to migrate from analog to digital through technical training, reduce fraud during elections by promoting information on governance through accountability and the rule of law. Concluding the debate, both the Deputy Minority and the Majority Leaders of the House acclaimed the Agreement as a laudable initiative taken by Government in partnership with the private sector aimed at the development of the country. Other MPs spoke to the motion.
WHAT IS DIGITAL TV
Digital Television is an advanced broadcasting technology that has transformed the television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality, and multiple channels of programming. Since June 13, 2009, full-power television stations nationwide have been required to broadcast exclusively in a digital format.
The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is known as the Digital Television Transition. In 1996, Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to every full-power TV station so that each station could launch a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing analog broadcasting. Later, Congress set June 12, 2009 as the deadline for full power television stations to stop broadcasting analog signals.
An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum have been freed up for public safety communications by groups such as police, fire departments and rescue squads. Also, some of the spectrum has been auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with advanced wireless services, such as wireless broadban
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