Four years after the date on which African countries were supposed to switch to DTT (June 17, 2015), the Togolese government's website announced at the end of October 2019 that members of parliament had voted on the draft law on audiovisual communications.
This bill regulates the implementation of digital terrestrial television (DTT) and creates a favorable—and economically viable—environment for producers and broadcasters.
Two public bodies will be created:
- the Togo Radio and Television Broadcasting Office (ORTVT), responsible for program production,
- the Togo Television Broadcasting Company (TDT), which will be responsible for signal transmission.
The switchover will take place at nine sites: Lomé GTA, Kougnohou, Pic d'Agou, Badou, Atakpamé, Alédjo, Binaparba, Défalé, and Dapaong, although no launch date has yet been announced.
"This vote is a strong commitment by the government and elected officials. We must create a new high value-added sector and increase and improve DTT coverage," said Katari Foli-Bazi, Minister of Communication.
The significant delay experienced by many African countries, including TOGO, stems from the fact that the launch of DTT in Africa does not have the same urgency as in other parts of the world: the cost and complexity of implementation are such that they are not included in government priorities.
Furthermore, digital satellite and cable services are already sufficiently developed in most African countries. Finally, the main beneficiaries of the release of analog frequencies, i.e., telecom operators, have not yet put any pressure on governments to speed up the process.