Many people are not aware of the digital migration-Mapoma

Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Director General (DG) Josephine Mapoma has observed that many people in the country are not aware of the digital migration.
Ms. Mapoma said there was need for members of the public to be educated on the digital migration process.

She added that the migration process entails that countries, Zambia inclusive should migrate from analogue to digital before the June 2015 deadline.

Ms. Mapoma, who was recently in South Africa on a familiarization tour and inspection of television stations, was speaking in Lusaka today when she opened a stakeholders’ meeting held at IBA Offices at mass media complex.

She said other countries in the Southern region have advanced in this migration process adding that Zambia should adopt the best practices from other countries like South Africa that have advanced to avoid the pitfalls.

Ms. Mapoma said the digital migration process is a huge task and her organisation is determined to see that the transition from analogue to digital is achieved efficiently.

The IBA-DG challenged participants to the meeting to work together, be steadfast in handling the migration project and allow a smooth transition for the good of the public and the country as a whole.

She further disclosed that radio digital migration deadline is 2020 to which Zambia should re-position herself before that.

And speaking at the same function, Sentech Chief Executive Officer Setumo Mohapi said he and his team from South Africa were in Zambia to learn and share experiences on the migration transition period ahead of the deadline.

Dr. Mohapi said the onus remained on each individual country to work hard and make an impact on its citizens to the migration process.

He disclosed that his organization which is the official signal distributor of South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has so far installed 183 digital equipment sites and is making headways to the migration process.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the private, commercial and religious radio and television stations, SABC, Sentech and senior government officials.