Namibia Launches DVB-T2 Services

MultiChoice Namibia has unveiled GOtv, a low-cost digital television product using the latest generation Digital Video Broadcast standard, DVB-T2, in Windhoek. The DVB-T2 technology standard deployed by GOtv allows for up to 20 channels per frequency, this is different from DVB-T1 technology that only allows for 12 channels per frequency. According to MultiChoice Namibia, GOtv offers “local channels made in Africa for Africa” along with international channels for a monthly fee of N$55 per month for 15 channels.

Southern Africa Selects DVB-T2
After many meetings, presentations and months of uncertainty, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) digital task force has selected DVB-T2 with MPEG-4 compression as the terrestrial transmission standard for the region. By selecting the most future-proof solution SADC has underlined its slogan "Towards a Common Future".
SADC member countries include Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. All of the 15 countries had already selected DVB-T through the 2006 ITU Geneva agreements and can continue with this implementation if they have already started and migrate to DVB-T2 at a later date. It is expected that all SADC countries will each complete the formal adoption of DVB-T2 in the near future, paving the way for a very ambitious digital switchover date of December 2013.
One of its smallest members, Mauritius, has already completed the switch to DVB-T. South Africa, arguably its most influential member, has already performed many DVB-T trials and more recently DVB-T2 trials in Johannesburg as well. The South African broadcasting industry is strongly supporting the decision for DVB-T2 and is ready to help launch digital TV in South Africa and the region.
The official SADC decision and digital switchover planning can be found on the SADC website.
This important decision has also been widely covered in the press:

Broadband TV News

Tech Central

My Broadband

Screen Africa

Item added: 29th November 2010, Barry Tew

DMTV enlarges Mobile DVB-H TV in Africa
Nokia Siemens Networks is providing mobile television provider DMTV with a state-of-the-art Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld (DVB-H) solution in Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria. The system will allow operators across the region to provide an enhanced TV viewing experience on multiple devices, including the latest Nokia phones, according to a recent press release.
Aleksi Toikkanen, Head of Consulting and Systems Integration for DMTV at Nokia Siemens Networks said, “We are glad to support DMTV to be among the first to launch OMA BCast compliant mobile television broadcasts in Africa. With our open standard solution we help DMTV attract new customer groups with a state of the art Mobile TV service. We are excited with the prospect of DMTV becoming the largest DVB-H broadcaster in the continent. Knowing the specific market in Africa we foresee huge growth potential in connecting people via mobile television and the Internet.”
Source: Nokia Siemens Networks Press release
Item added: 6th July 2009




Namibia launches Africa’s first DVB-H Mobile TV service
MTC Namibia and MultiChoice Namibia have announced the launch of a mobile television service, using the Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld (DVB-H) technology standard.
MultiChoice Namibia switched on its mobile television network on the 18th March 2008.
Consumers in Namibia will be able to receive a specially compiled package of DStv channels on their mobile phones that include popular channels such as CNN, Big Brother Africa, NBC and top-level sport from around the world.
Source: itweb.co.za
Item added: 1st April 2008



MultiChoice Update
In a recent article, published in the DVB Scene, Martin Ungerer, Engineering Manager of MultiChoice Africa, filled in details of the recent Namibia DTT project.
The service is based on the 8K format and transmits six encrypted services to approximately 3000 subscribers in Namibia's capital Windhoek. An FEC of 2/3 and a 60 watt VHF transmission on Channel 13 provides a very rugged system to cater for the possibility of inferior quality home installed antenna systems. The test bed is an ideal way to gain knowledge for future projects.
The encryption is done at the head-end in Johannesburg, South Africa and the EMM's (Entitlement Management Messages) and ECM's (Entitlement Control Message) along with the services are sent via satellite to Namibia.

The full article can be seen in the June DVB Scene, edition 14, just click on the following link

Previous

MultiChoice Launches DTT in Namibia

MultiChoice on 18 February 2005 celebrated the formal launch of Digital Terrestrial Television in Southern Africa. The honourable minister of Information and Broadcasting in Namibia Mr Nangolo Mbumba cut the ribbon at the transmitter site and opened for operations of what is thought to be the first commercial DTT broadcast in Southern Africa.

“I am glad that MultiChoice, which is the leading digital satellite broadcaster over Africa, has chosen Windhoek to launch this system as a pilot, the first in Africa, - putting Windhoek subscribers at the cutting edge of television innovation” Mbumba said.

The official launch on the 18th February 2005 marks the conclusion of the successful and ambitious analogue switch-off plan and  migration to digital. Speaking at the launch ceremony Mr Kobus Bezuidenhout, General Manager MultiChoice Namibia remarked that he was especially proud that Namibia was selected as the first DTT broadcast site and underlined the enabling regulatory framework that made this project possible.

Discussing some benefits of DTT, Nolo Letele CEO MultiChoice South Africa remarked that “the quality of the broadcast is better, especially the audio which is comparable to CD quality sound” and “its easier for the consumer to tune in”. Letele highlighted that “in the past an analogue transmitter gave one channel per frequency, while the new digital system gives six channels per frequency”.

The technical switch-over took place on 4 February 2005 when the analogue pay TV service was switched off and subscribers seamlessly migrated on the Digital Terrestrial Television.    “We literally in a time-frame of 20 minutes switched-off analogue and switched on digital” said Seven Foster, DTT specialist with signal distributor Orbicom.

Using the same spectrum as previously used for one analogue television channel the new DTT system delivers: M-Net; SuperSport 1; SABC Africa; Discovery; and Channel O.

Thanks to Gerhard Petrick for the information
Item added: 22nd February 2005

The information provided on these pages comes from many sources and whilst DVB believe it to be correct we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
If you have any additional information or corrections please send an e-mail to dvb@dvb.org
Last page update: 29th November 2010, Barry Tew