News / National
Zimbabwe witness a milestone in digital migration project
20 Aug 2015 at 10:23hrs | Views
Zimbabwe today witnessed a milestone in the implementation of the Digital Migration Project, with the hoisting of a satellite uplink dish at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation's Pockets Hill studios.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Prisca Mupfumira said, "We are aware that as a country, Zimbabwe has embarked on a digital broadcasting migration project for the introduction of the digital technology of broadcasting in line with international developments across the world.
"As part of the implementation of this project, we have just witnessed the hoisting of the satellite uplink dish for the satellite uplink terminal which will be used for the distribution of radio and television programmes from the studios through the national head-end."
She said Zimbabwe will for now do with the satellite uplink dish due to absence of fiber connectivity.
"We are having to use this satellite uplink terminal because of the absence of optical fibre connectivity to the broadcasting transmitter sites we are putting up throughout the country.
"Only seven out of the 48 transmitter sites have optical fibre connectivity. So, this is an interim but costly measure."
Mupfumira added, "This is but one significant area among many other areas of the project where considerable progress has been registered to date.
She said more progress has been registered in other areas of the project.
"Equipment installation of the head-end has been carried out and will be completed with the installation of standby power units by mid-September together with the electronics and power units of this satellite uplink terminal," she said.
Also present at the hoisting event was the Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, Principal Director in the ministry, Regis Chikowore, a member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting, Kindness Paradza, ZBC Board member Rudo Mudavanhu, the Acting ZBC CEO Mr Patrick Mavhura, BAZ CEO Obert Muganyura, Transmedia CEO Florence Sigudu-Matambo and engineers from Huawei.
BAZ CEO Obert Muganyura said the installation of the uplink terminal is an important milestone in the establishment of the digital broadcasting systems.
ZBC Acting CEO, Mr. Patrick Mavhura says the terminal will bring a significant improvement in the access and quality of television services to viewers.
The technology will address the television transmission challenges the country is facing, says broadcast signal carrier Transmedia's CEO, Mrs. Florence Matambo-Sigudu.
The refurbishment of studio rooms at Pockets Hill and Mbare in Harare, Montrose in Bulawayo and in Gweru is currently underway in preparation for the installation of studio equipment as soon as the equipment is brought into the country.
The Zimbabwe Digital Migration Project is being carried out under the auspices of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and Transmedia.
It is anticipated that once the project is complete, ZBC will run multiple television channels, bringing variety to the viewing public.
Independent producers also look forward to doing more business with the national broadcaster as demand for locally-made programmes will increase.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Prisca Mupfumira said, "We are aware that as a country, Zimbabwe has embarked on a digital broadcasting migration project for the introduction of the digital technology of broadcasting in line with international developments across the world.
"As part of the implementation of this project, we have just witnessed the hoisting of the satellite uplink dish for the satellite uplink terminal which will be used for the distribution of radio and television programmes from the studios through the national head-end."
She said Zimbabwe will for now do with the satellite uplink dish due to absence of fiber connectivity.
"We are having to use this satellite uplink terminal because of the absence of optical fibre connectivity to the broadcasting transmitter sites we are putting up throughout the country.
"Only seven out of the 48 transmitter sites have optical fibre connectivity. So, this is an interim but costly measure."
Mupfumira added, "This is but one significant area among many other areas of the project where considerable progress has been registered to date.
She said more progress has been registered in other areas of the project.
"Equipment installation of the head-end has been carried out and will be completed with the installation of standby power units by mid-September together with the electronics and power units of this satellite uplink terminal," she said.
Also present at the hoisting event was the Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, Principal Director in the ministry, Regis Chikowore, a member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting, Kindness Paradza, ZBC Board member Rudo Mudavanhu, the Acting ZBC CEO Mr Patrick Mavhura, BAZ CEO Obert Muganyura, Transmedia CEO Florence Sigudu-Matambo and engineers from Huawei.
BAZ CEO Obert Muganyura said the installation of the uplink terminal is an important milestone in the establishment of the digital broadcasting systems.
ZBC Acting CEO, Mr. Patrick Mavhura says the terminal will bring a significant improvement in the access and quality of television services to viewers.
The technology will address the television transmission challenges the country is facing, says broadcast signal carrier Transmedia's CEO, Mrs. Florence Matambo-Sigudu.
The refurbishment of studio rooms at Pockets Hill and Mbare in Harare, Montrose in Bulawayo and in Gweru is currently underway in preparation for the installation of studio equipment as soon as the equipment is brought into the country.
The Zimbabwe Digital Migration Project is being carried out under the auspices of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and Transmedia.
It is anticipated that once the project is complete, ZBC will run multiple television channels, bringing variety to the viewing public.
Independent producers also look forward to doing more business with the national broadcaster as demand for locally-made programmes will increase.
Source - zbc
