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The forum was organised by the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU), as the first of a series of public consultations aimed at arriving at consensus on a “drop dead” date for the switch over.
During the discussions, the switchover process was likened to the recent switchover from analog cell phones to digital cell phones which took place in Guyana some years ago.
However, the process as it relates to television and television broadcasts would be more complicated since, among other things, television broadcasters in particular would have to scrap their analog transmitting systems and acquire digital transmission systems.
Switchover Date/Year
Therefore, there is need for discussions and careful decision-making towards an agreed date or year for the switchover.
The discussion was based on the topic: “Guidelines for the transition in Guyana from analog to DTT broadcasting”.
The forum venue was the Conference Room of the National Library.
Dr. Andres Navarro, an Information Communications and Technology(ICT) expert attached to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a specialised agency of the UN for Telecommunications and ICT was the main resource person.
Managing Director of the NFMU, Mr. Valmiki Singh also made interventions.
Mr. Singh explained that because of its complexity, the Guyana programme for determining a road map for the transition is funded by the South Korean Government via the ITU and Dr. Navarro was selected as the consultant for the process.
He stressed that a movement from analog to digital television broadcasting was inevitable.
“It’s just a matter of time. We don’t produce so we have to comply with where the industry actually goes. It’s something that is already in motion and cannot be stopped.”
Advantages of DTT system
Dr. Navarro highlighted some of the advantages of Digital Terrestrial Television over analog television.
These include high definition/better image quality, 3D (three dimensional) capabilities, Dolby Surround Sound and Blu-ray picture quality which would transform the television into a cinema in the home.
The benefits also include interactive TV which allows the user to relate to the television in many more ways than are possible with the current analog systems.
These qualities apart, he said that the transition from analog to digital television will in the very near future be mandatory. He explained that the reality now is that most countries in the world have evolved to the use of digital television.
“Soon there will be no markets for analog television systems. Soon nobody will be producing them so if we hold on to these old systems, soon broadcasters will find it difficult to get parts for analog transmitters and if they find them they will find that they are much more expensive than the digital systems.”
He said that the question that would arise then is why we have to pay higher costs to keep a system that has disadvantages when we can get a DTT with more advantages and which will be cheaper than the current analog system.
He said that the switchover has several implications that will have to be considered and deliberated on with all stakeholders.
He said that the main reason why the ITU is working with Guyana is to define when and how the transition to DTT will be done.
No ITU help after 2016
He stressed that no country is being forced to make the switch but those who do not do so by 2016 will not get the help of the ITU if their signals are interfered with by any other party. If they do not make the switch to digital broadcasting, the ITU will not be able to protect them.
He said: “Nobody can force the country to make such a decision but at some point in time in the near future analog will be very expensive. The question is when will be the break point? When will the analog systems become so expensive that consumers in Guyana cannot afford a TV set? When will be the break point when a broadcaster in Guyana cannot afford a new analog transmitter or cannot get parts for an analog transmitter? That is the question that you as Guyanese will have to answer.”
The NFMU managing director said that the when and how of the switchover will be arrived at following extensive and intensive discussions with consumers, government, broadcasters and all other stakeholders.
With respect to the Tuesday meeting, he said that this was an indication that the ball has started to roll as it relates to the public conversation on the migration to DTT.
He stressed that there will be definitely more sessions like these and the public will be kept fully abreast of decisions on the matter of the switchover.
