All Set for Digital Switch Over in Abuja – Minister

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said
all is now set for the launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in
broadcasting in Abuja on Thursday.

The Minister announced this in Abuja on Monday during the tour of key
facilities of Pinnacle Communication Limited, the signal distribution
for the Abuja DSO.

“We are impressed by the speed, commitment and passion of Pinnacle to
this project and we have come here to ensure that no stone is left
unturned to ensure
smooth Digital Switch Over in Abuja on Thursday,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said 30 free channels will be available for Abuja
residents upon the switch over on Thursday and that over 450,000
Set-Top Boxes have been
provided for the flag-off.

“It’s a revolution in the broadcasting ecosystem as far as Nigeria is
concerned because not only are we going to have better clarity and
audio but the average resident
of FCT who is in possession of our Set-Top Box will have 30 free
channels from news, entertainment, music….This is going to open a
new vista for content,” he said.

The Minister expressed confidence that within 3 years of the digital
transition, 1 million jobs will be created in the development of
television content, technical services,
software development, as well as the installation and repair of
Set-Top Boxes for over 24 million TV households, among others.

The Minister said even though the Digital Switch Over will not take
place in one fell swoop across the country, the Federal Government
remains resolute in its commitment
to meeting the 2017 deadline for the DSO.

Also speaking at the Call Centre of the National Broadcasting
Commission (NBC), he said the government is equally concerned about
customers’ satisfaction, which informed the
setting up of the Call Centre where subscribers can call to make
inquiries or complaints for prompt response.

Alhaji Mohammed, who was accompanied by the NBC Director General,
Mallam Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, and the Chairman of DIGITEAM Nigeria, Mr.
Edward Amana, inspected facilities at the Monitoring Room,
Transmission Station and the Call Centre.

The Pilot Scheme of the DSO was launched in Jos, Plateau State, on 30 April 2016