Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005)

ICASA

Final Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan for the Frequency Band 470 to 694 MHz

7. Re-Alignment of DTT Multiplexes
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9.1 To create a plan with the least possible interference the large SFN’s were broken up into smaller SFN’s in some provinces as illustrated in Annexure A and Annexure B of this RFSAP.

 

9.2In order to enable analogue services to be switch-off, Digital transmitters are to immediately operate in the frequencies as illustrated in Annexure A (Column 5) and Annexure B (Column 5) in accordance with coordinated frequencies in Annexure J of the Terrestrial Broadcasting Plan 2013, as amended.

 

9.3 In order to ensure re-alignment of the SFN, to Annexure J of the Terrestrial Broadcasting Plan 2013, as at a later stage, the frequencies are to be in accordance with Annexure A (Column 14) and Annexure B (Column 14) of this RFSAP.

 

9.4 The Freq (MHz) and CH are the frequency and associated channel number at which the service shall be implemented in transitional phase to ensure that the IMT700 and IMT800 frequencies can immediately be released after analogue switch-off. The Transitional Phase is the time period taken to Switch Analogue Frequencies directly to the Digital Single Frequency Network (SFN).

 

9.5 In the transitional phase there are no DTT assignments above 694 MHz. The final phase includes the frequencies and its associated final channel numbers which the station will operate in the provincial SFN network. The envisaged analogue switch-off phases per province to ensure the Digital Transmitters switch-on in order to enable the release IMT700 and IMT 800 frequencies are as illustrated in the table below:

 

9.6Table 1. Transitional1 Arrangements to enable the rollout of DDTT SFN(s) preceding the Analogue Switch-off phases.

 

Item

Province

Digital Switch-on

phase of

Frequencies

Migration to

channel below 694

MHz

Analogue Switch-off

Phases

Recommendation

1

Free State

Phase 1 Starts

(2 Month)

Phase 1 Ends

(4 Months)

These proposed phases require well-coordinated project plan between and amongst all stakeholders concerned in accordance with the "Broadcast Digital Migration Policy published in Government Gazette Number 35014 (Notice 97 of 2012)".

2

Northern Cape

Phase 2 Starts

(2 Month)

Phase 2 Ends

(4 Months)

3

Limpopo Province

Phase 3 Starts

(2 Month)

Phase 3 Ends

(4 Months)

4

North West

Phase 4 Starts

(2 Month)

Phase 4 Ends

(4 Months)

5

Mpumalanga

Phase 5 Starts

(2 Month)

Phase 5 Ends

(4 Months)

6

Gauteng

Phase 6 Starts

(2 Month)

Phase 6 Ends

(4 Months)

7

Western Cape

Phase 7 Starts

(2 Month)

Phase 7 Ends

(4 Months)

8

Kwa-Zulu Natal

Phase 8 Starts

(2 Month)

Phase 8 Ends

(4 Months)

9

Eastern Cape

Phase 9 Starts

(2 Month)

Phase 9 Ends

(4 Months)

 

9.7 The Authority aim that the IMT700 and IMT800 shall be clear from the broadcaster by end of the first semester of 2021.

 

9.8 The main advantages of changing all Multi- Frequency Network (MFN) DTT assignments below CH49 Single Frequency Network (SFN) before starting the analogue switch-off are as following:
9.8.1 the first migration of all analogue stations interfered with by DTT stations can be initiated—

These transmitter stations affected are included in Appendix C;

9.8.2 South Africa can then initiate the migration of all Digital Dividend 1 (“DD1”) analogue transmitters to Digital in order to clear the DD1 dividend (790 to 860 MHz) and;
9.8.3Simultaneously initiate the migration all Digital Dividend 2 (“DD2”) analogue transmitters to Digital in order to clear the DD2 dividend (694 to 790 MHz); and
9.8.4 broadcasting service licensees can then migrate all analogue TV services in the band (470 to 694 MHz) at a pace that will not impact negatively on the broadcasters.

 

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1 The phases are to be adjusted in accordance with the Policy imperatives and the representations from Industry based on a workable plan.