Today is the official deadline for the switchover from analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), the digital Migration. The deadline was set by ITU Member States at the Regional Radio communication Conference held in 2006, known as the GE06 Regional Agreement
The migration heralds the development of ‘all-digital’ terrestrial broadcast services for sound and television for 119 countries belonging to ITU Region-1 in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia) and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The new digital GE06 Plan provides not only new possibilities for structured development of digital terrestrial broadcasting but also sufficient flexibilities for adaptation to the changing telecommunication environment.
“Today, 17 June, marks a historic landmark in the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting,” ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao said.
“The process, which began in June 2006, has re-envisioned the way the world watches and interacts with TV and opened the way for new innovations and developments in the broadcast industry.” He added.
An ITU International Symposium on the Digital Switchover held at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva dubbed “A milestone for Digital Terrestrial Television“ towards establishing a more equitable just and people-centred Information Society, connecting the unconnected in underserved and remote communities, and closing the digital divide took stock of countries that have achieved the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting. The symposium explored the technical and regulatory frameworks required to make the transition to digital TV and build a sustainable ecosystem.
Experts from around the world explored the objectives of the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting and took a look at advances in television, such as ultra-high-definition TV (UHDTV), Integrated broadcast-broadband (IBB) systems, and smart TV platforms as well as building a sustainable ecosystem for digital TV in the future and its spectrum requirements.
Several countries that are party to the GE06 Agreement, as well as many who are not, have already made the transition, including Kenya despite the war between the media owners and the Communication Authority of Kenya.
