‘Digital Switchover’ underway in the Caribbean

Nigel Cassimire, Acting Secretary General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union, left, and Cleveland Thomas, ITU Area Representative for the Caribbean at International Telecommunication Union, at the Regional Radiocommunication Seminar for the Americas jointly hosted by both organisations, held at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, Trinidad from July 18 to 22. PHOTO: CARIBBEAN TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
Nigel Cassimire, Acting Secretary General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union, left, and Cleveland Thomas, ITU Area Representative for the Caribbean at International Telecommunication Union, at the Regional Radiocommunication Seminar for the Americas jointly hosted by both organisations, held at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, Trinidad from July 18 to 22. PHOTO: CARIBBEAN TELECOMMUNICATION UNION

A shift from analog to digital television broadcast in the Caribbean could be a big boost for local content creators looking to produce and distribute original programs.

Free, analog, over-the-air television broadcasting has already been replaced by digital television transmission is several parts of the world. As a region, Europe was among the early adopters. From as early as December 2006, the Netherlands moved to digital-only television broadcasting. Today, in several countries worldwide, including USA, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Ghana and Kenya, broadcasters are now required to transmit exclusively in a digital format.

The process, commonly referred to as the digital switchover, is now underway in the Caribbean and the successful transition in other parts of the world provides several lessons that can be applied to the Caribbean.

As with all technological advancement, digital switchover is not without potential complications. It could entail unwanted consequences like confusing or even marginalising those unfamiliar with the technology In Singapore, for example, groups of volunteers have taken to making weekly house visits to assist the elderly to transition to digital television.

But the transition from analog to digital is inevitable and produces many clear benefits. This is in part because digital television makes much more efficient use of scarce broadcast spectrum, the radio frequencies used for wireless communication.

By migrating television broadcasters to digital formats, governments can create opportunities to reallocate the radio spectrum frequencies formerly assigned to those transmissions. That released spectrum creates what is called a digital dividend that can be reallocated to critical telecommunications projects, such as nationwide emergency broadcast systems, national wireless broadband access projects and other such initiatives.

However, in the Caribbean, where the supply of spectrum still outstrips current demand, there is much work to be done. Making the business case for the digital switchover requires a blend of foresight and ingenuity.

“Television broadcast bands in the Caribbean are sparsely populated, as very few broadcasters exist to fully utilise the spectrum available within those frequencies for free, over-the-air programming. So the traditional digital dividend spectrum is not in use and is available in most Caribbean countries. It’s a case of having digital assets, instead of having to win a digital dividend. As a result, the region’s broadcasters may not have as strong a motivation to invest in the digital switchover,” said Nigel Cassimire, a telecommunications specialist and spectrum expert with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).

The CTU advises regional governments on the intricacies of spectrum planning and policy development, including areas such as digital switchover and frequency reallocation.

Governments can generate revenue by auctioning parts of available or freed-up spectrum to telecommunications service companies, such as mobile service providers. Jamaica and Antigua & Barbuda are two Caribbean countries that have already assigned mobile services for frequencies previously designated primarily for television broadcasting.

“Regional governments and other stakeholders must weigh the costs and benefits of the digital switchover, balancing the risks of radical change against the promise of emerging opportunity,” Cassimire said.

He added that the CTU is working closely with its member states to develop a regulatory and commercial framework to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders.

Among the most tangible possibilities for the region is the opportunity to enhance the production of original video and audio programming for local consumption.

If the Caribbean is to maximise the opportunities of digital switchover, then governments, regulators and broadcasters will have to work in concert to deepen interest and investment in local content production.

“In a media landscape dominated by the cultural and economic powerhouses of the world, audiences from emerging markets like the Caribbean typically find themselves drowning in a flood of foreign content,” said Bevil Wooding, an Internet Strategist and Director of the CTU’s Caribbean ICT Roadshow, an initiative that boosts general ICT awareness and promotes local digital content creation.

“We can harness creative local resources to produce relevant local content, riding on local infrastructure, governed by local legislation, transacting in the local markets, to meet local needs,” Wooding said.

The interconnected set of actions he describes is key to realising the digital dividends other countries have already achieved, and the Caribbean longs for. With the right mix of political will, technical expertise and private sector investment, the Caribbean has the potential to convert its digital assets into a real cultural dividend.

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12 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    August 4, 2016

    Well I am in an area where there are local stations and others that are just there waiting free. So, I returned the cable boxes and bought a $10 digital antenna connected it and what do u know……. Lots of free stations nbc, abc, cbs, pbs, create, v-me, cozi, me-tv, escape, unimas(Spanish), qvc,hsn, ion, laff, one with strictly old westerns ….and many more, no bill……I\’m laughing all the way to the bank with the monthly savings.
    I wonder if a digital antenna will pull any stations in D\’a? Anyone knows?

  2. August 4, 2016

    It’s the content. Crap.

  3. Tell the Facts
    August 3, 2016

    The trend with some people, they connect their TV to the Internet to view programs. Mine can be done. Therefore, they do not have to pay extra for TV Service. It may cost them a bit more for high speed internet if they view TV frequently.
    I read whereby the Canadian Radio and Telecommunication Corporation asked the question: “How necessary is high speed internet.” We are charged more for high speed. They also could decrease the speed and we are not aware of it. At least CRTC might be looking into it.
    We need a break from those high costs, TV, Internet, Telephone and whatever other technologies we have. We all are seeking reasonable costs with satisfactory service. Income is not increasing or very little but costs in everything escalate as they find more ways of implementing new technologies. God help us.

  4. Tell the Facts
    August 3, 2016

    Following the world. There is a price to pay for progress. Canada went digital in September 2013. These additional TV programs viewers can get, at a high cost, may not be necessary nor benefit them.
    You outline the benefits. Inform them how expensive it will be for them. Some will have to purchase a digital converter and indoor/outdoor antenna. Some will have to rent or purchase a digital box from the TV provider to get reception.
    Let us face it. The world has become more expensive. People are spending more from the little income they receive. They are getting poorer. The money they have left over has dwindled.
    Think of all these technologies and how they have made us poorer.
    The thought crossed my mind. The Mother of God, The Ever Blessed Virgin Mary said to a visionary, a message for us all in the entire world: “I tell you to turn off the television and follow the path that God has set for you.”
    And there is more. . .

  5. Tell the Facts
    August 3, 2016

    My take and experience on this. If you purchase a digital box from the TV Provider, if, at sometime it proves inoperable and is not under warrantee, you will have to get it repaired or purchase a new one.
    If it is rented, then it could be repaired or replaced by the Provider. They will do their utmost to repair it rather than replace it. One way or the other, this could cost some dollars. This service has its frustration and also to receive programs for your money as agreed.
    It is a world we cannot prevent progress. The big wheels are in on it including big businesses and others. They want a piece of the pie at the expense of customers.
    New TV technology is here. The picture may be more enhanced and with additional programs. Well, proceed at your cost.

  6. Anonymouse
    August 3, 2016

    This endeavor may be very important but I’m afraid many may not get the significance due to the delivery. I wish these techy guys would give examples as they use techy jargon so lay people get the message. For instance the word content used loosely, examples of content would help get message across although it sounds obvious to techies. What do u think?

    • Tell the Facts
      August 3, 2016

      They hide the facts. Their jargon benefit them and not most of the readers who can hardly comprehend what it is all about.
      They are new/additional TV programs; all sorts. Some are worthwhile viewing; others are not. Customers reserve the right to pick and choose the programs they want. They also offer packages, some of which do not suit customers’ interests but they could be forced to agree to them, saying this is the package they offer at a monthly cost.
      We have that problem in Canada but the Canadian Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (CRTC), there is another department which put a stop to it. Consider you have a few favorite programs and you must agree to more than one package in order to view them. This is highway robbery. We put up with this for a long time. Therefore, viewers now have the choice to choose the type of package of their interest although it is stated it could cost them more individually. I wonder if, in the long run customers win.

  7. “Free, analog, over-the-air television broadcasting has already been replaced by digital television transmission is several parts of the world.”

    It was never free in Dominica, since there was never a free public Broadcasting Television Station in the country. A Capable operating station is different to free on air broadcast. If it was free, why then one needed a deodar to receive the signals.

    If it was free how come when the bill was not paid the Cable company even Marpin would take their signal. In America we have digital transmission, and broadcast obtained on free public Television, and private Cable too, that is the law, as such one can buy a digital antenna, install it on their Television, and receive some programs which the Cable companies are transmitting!

    Dominicans lie about everything, to talk about free analog on television in Dominica, is a lie!

    • OLI
      August 4, 2016

      Did the article say anything about free tv in Dominica, or even mention Dominica in there? Man why can’t you read and understand what you read? But then again you probably understand the “tech language” written there.

      • OLI
        August 4, 2016

        Correction: ‘But then again you probably don’t understand the “tech language” written there.

      • “Free, analog, over-the-air television broadcasting has already been replaced by digital television transmission is several parts of the world.”

        We are speaking in reference to Television, and “Dominica.” the assumption is that there is free Television in Dominica. Take it anyway you wish, there has never been any free analog Television in Dominica period! It is the impression they are creating, that’s out of line!

        And By the way, I know the difference in analog and digital transmission frequencies, I know it works, remember I am an Electronic/Electrical Engineer by profession!

      • Tell the Facts
        August 4, 2016

        :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :

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