In his opening remarks, the Director General, Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, noted that the journey towards the Implementation of the Digital Switchover (DSO) in Nigeria started in Jos on 30th April, 2016, and the Commission has been working tirelessly behind the scene by engaging critical stakeholders to finalise and perfect all the required arrangements including the boosting of signal coverage towards the completion of the Digital Switchover (DSO) process in the country.
He added that the NBC is ready to commence the completion of the Digital Switchover (DSO) project in Nigeria.
Highlighting the limitless advantages of the Digital Switch Over project, Mallam Ilelah, pointed out that the goal of the Digital Switchover (DSO) in Nigeria, is to successfully launch the FreeTV platform across the country, commence the process of Analogue Switch off ( ASO), free up spectrum for resale, deliver the benefits of digital television, and stimulate Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Director General National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) further noted that the Commission has reached a milestone in preparation to completing the Digital Switchover (DSO) implementation in Nigeria in order to bring the dual- illumination period to an end in locations where digital switch over has been launched. The dual- illumination period allows both analogue and digital terrestrial television signals to be transmitted before the final analogue transmission switch off.
Noting the place Plateau State holds in the area of broadcasting, being the first state to introduce colour television transmission in Nigeria and the pilot city for the Digital Switchover, the Director General, stated that as a result of this record, the National Broadcasting Commission has concluded arrangements to accord the State the due honour of being the first state to pilot the Switch off of analogue terrestrial television in Nigeria.
Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, also seized the opportunity of the meeting to request that broadcast practitioners and stakeholders in the state, give the project the widest publicity it deserves for a successful switch off of analogue transmission.
He concluded by calling on all television broadcast stations that are yet to digitize their operations and equipment to use this period to finalise the process in order to avoid shutdown of operations when the analogue signal is finally switched off in Plateau State.