FreeTV Hits Lagos
It was a colourful event yesterday in Lagos state as the honourable minister of Information Alh. Lai Mohammed, the Ag. DG of NBC Prof. Armstrong Idachaba and the Governor of Lagos state Babajide Sanwo-olu were on ground to launch Digital Switch Over (DSO) as Lagos goes Digital.
DSO in Nigeria: A Brief
The journey towards Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcasting on the UHF platform started in Nigeria on June 17, 2006. This followed the dateline of June 17, 2015, set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for member Countries all over the world, to switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting. Due to the enormity of the phenomenon, many countries had to review their switchover deadline. Nigeria was no exception. Nevertheless, a lot of milestones has been achieved in the journey towards digitisation in Nigeria.
Following several reviews, Jos became the pilot city and on the 30th of April 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria launched the pilot phase of the digital transmission project that kick-started the digitization process in Nigeria. The Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) followed swiftly on the 22nd of December 2016.
The Digital Broadcasting train got to Ilorin, Kwara state, on December 20, 2017, and two days aft¬er, Kaduna State dovetailed on the 22nd of December 2017.
Enugu, switched on live on the 12th of February 2018, while Osun State, concluded the first phase of the digital switchover when the digital Television broadcasting ship berthed in Osogbo on February 23, 2018.
In phase II of the digital sensation, 13 States are scheduled to switch on, starting with Lagos State, today, April 29, 2021. The timeline for the DSO in other States in the 2nd phase are as follows; Kano (03/06/2021), Rivers (08/07/2021), Yobe (15/07/2021), Gombe (12/08/2021), Imo (24/08/2021), Akwa Ibom (31/08/2021), Oyo (09/09/2021), Jigawa (23/09/2021), Ebonyi (07/10/2021), Katsina (21/10/2021), Anambra (04/11/2021), and Delta (18/11/2021).
This DSO project when fully completed will translate to an increased digital television penetration, improved quality television services, audience preference ratings at the touch of a button, crystal clear sound and visuals and other value-added services. Other benefits of this huge digital leap include job creation in the creative and set-top box manufacturing and retailing sectors of the economy etc.
Lagos! Welcome to the Digital World!!!
Enugu, switched on live on the 12th of February 2018, while Osun State, concluded the first phase of the digital switchover when the digital Television broadcasting ship berthed in Osogbo on February 23, 2018.
In phase II of the digital sensation, 13 States are scheduled to switch on, starting with Lagos State, today, April 29, 2021. The timeline for the DSO in other States in the 2nd phase are as follows; Kano (03/06/2021), Rivers (08/07/2021), Yobe (15/07/2021), Gombe (12/08/2021), Imo (24/08/2021), Akwa Ibom (31/08/2021), Oyo (09/09/2021), Jigawa (23/09/2021), Ebonyi (07/10/2021), Katsina (21/10/2021), Anambra (04/11/2021), and Delta (18/11/2021).
This DSO project when fully completed will translate to an increased digital television penetration, improved quality television services, audience preference ratings at the touch of a button, crystal clear sound and visuals and other value-added services. Other benefits of this huge digital leap include job creation in the creative and set-top box manufacturing and retailing sectors of the economy etc.
Lagos! Welcome to the Digital World!!!