The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it will switch over to digital broadcasting in Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power on December 13, this year.
NBC revealed plans for the Abuja Digital Switch over (DSO) saying it remains committed to the analogue to digital broadcasting migration that will change the broadcast industry in Nigeria.
During a meeting with licensed Set-Top-Box manufacturers and Signal distributors in Abuja, Mallam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, Director General, NBC, says the broadcast industry regulator remains committed to ensuring a successful roll out of the Abuja DSO.
The meeting, which was a follow up on its preparation for the DSO, was held at the Commission’s headquarters last week.
The Set-Top-Box manufacturers while pledging their readiness and commitment towards a successful DSO in Abuja gave a breakdown of the number of Boxes they will be supplying for the Abuja rollout.
The unveiling of the Abuja Digital Switch over (DSO) plan comes just as a group of Mexican investors have expressed readiness to invest in the Nigerian Broadcast industry, NBC says.
The NBC DG who received the Mexican investors accompanied by Mr. Osita Okechukwu, DG Voice of Nigeria, informed them that the Nigerian broadcasting industry was moving into a new phase as Nigeria is transiting from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting “which offers enormous opportunities.”
He also informed the Mexican group that the NBC licenses, regulates and control broadcasting in Nigeria, and over the years, the institution has welcomed everyone or group of individuals who were interested in investing in the broadcasting industry in Nigeria.
The Nigeria media ecosystem over the last 25 years has opened up tremendously and there is a dialectical connection between what is happening in the broadcast and entertainment industry, he adds.
In his response, Mr. Carlos, head of the Mexican delegation, thanked the DG and his team for the warm reception accorded them.
He also stated that the purpose of their visit was to inquire about the process of applying for an FM radio license and policies governing the operations of such licence.