FG approves additional N50 Million to NBC for digital switch-over

The federal Government has approved the release of additional N50million to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project roll out in order to cover the country’s major population   

The government had earlier released N10 billion to the commission for the project. More so, the Spectrum Management Council has approved the release of Spectrums, which would be auctioned in order to generate more money to fund the DSO.

Director General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Abuja said that the country’s roll out plan for DSO has been concluded adding that the process has been slow due to unavailability of enough set top boxes. Kawu however disclosed that he hosted a delegation of the South Korean Set Top Boxes manufacturing company adding that they are exploring the possibility of their offering local STB manufacturing outfits, one million boxes that would be paid for only after they had been sold.

He observed that there are other significant steps being taken to keep the DSO on track as the Information Services on the Set Top Boxes (STBs) are now being used by the Nigeria Police Force to post security-related Information to homes. Kawu also noted that the commission has been able to use the good offices of the National Security Adviser (NSA), to break the logjam in respect of the renewal of the Digital Terrestrial License issued to Details Nigeria Limited for the operations of GOTV. 

He explained that NBC had in January 2018, issued a notice, that the said license was not going to be renewed at expiration and that license is expected to expire in a couple of days on. According to him, the commission yesterday held a meeting under the auspices of the National Security Adviser, General Babagana Monguno, during which they resolved that GOTV would have its license renewed for a period of three years but with certain provisos.