You head the DTT steering committee in Benin. When was it created and what exactly is its role?
The Steering Committee for the Transition to Digital Terrestrial Television was created in 2016. Its mission is to:
– Validate the technical and strategic choices for the transition to digital terrestrial television;
– Supervise the implementation of the national DTT broadcasting network;
– Validate and monitor the execution of contracts signed in the context of the digital switchover;
– Define the terms and conditions and lead the establishment of the new private broadcasting company;
– Define the terms and conditions for the use of ORTB's assets and broadcasting resources in the best interests of the Beninese state;
– Implement an effective communication plan to promote DTT among the general public and professionals;
– Identify and implement support measures for users and viewers;
– Monitor the finalization of the draft texts necessary for the establishment of the legal and institutional framework for the transition to digital terrestrial television;
– Monitor the development of standard documents, in particular those relating to the call for applications from service providers, the specifications, and the contract between the broadcasting operator and the service providers; Carry out, under the supervision of the Digital Council, all actions necessary to achieve the objectives set.
Where are you in the process of deploying DTT?
The Beninese DTT network comprises 28 remote transmitter sites and a network headend.
It should be noted that since January 1, 2018, broadcasting tests have been conducted in the southern part of the country using transmitters in Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Porto-Novo, and Gbéhoué (Comè). In addition to these four transmitter sites, twenty-two other sites have just been completed and signal reception tests have been carried out. The three remaining sites are almost complete.
The next steps are:
- The acquisition and distribution of reception kits, a process that is already well underway;
- The communication campaign, for which an agency has already been selected;
- The creation of the broadcasting company, a process that is also well underway.
The connection of the population to DTT is therefore planned for the beginning of the second half of 2019. As for the end of the analog switch-off, it is planned for the end of 2019, provided that the acquisition and distribution of reception kits and the communication campaign begin on time.
You have just announced an agreement with SES for DTT broadcasting. How does this complement traditional terrestrial broadcasting?
The agreement signed with SES consists of leasing a Ku-band space segment to transport the DTT multiplex from the headend in Abomey-Calavi to twenty-eight (28) remote sites located a hundred or even hundreds of kilometers away. This mode of transport compensates for the lack of a fiber optic network covering the entire country.
It should be noted that the choice of the Ku band also allows DTH (Direct To Home) reception by viewers located in white areas (areas not covered by DTT) of the country.
How many channels will be broadcast via DTT?
The Multiplex includes the eleven national channels approved by the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication, including three public channels and eight private channels. Four international channels, including three from TV5 and one from France 24, provide international programming to Beninese viewers. The channels are:
- National Channels
- Public channels
ORTB
B24
ADO TV
Private channels
Canal 2
Golfe TV
TVC
Canal 3
IMANLE TV
EDEN TV
AGRI TV
E-Télé
- International channels
TV5 channels
TV5 MONDE
TIVI5
STYLE
France 24
Will these channels be broadcast in HD?
Benin has opted for the HEVC encoding standard and can therefore broadcast channels in high definition (HD). As such, the public channel ORTB and the private channels Golfe TV and TVC are broadcast in HD. Benin is the first and only country in Africa to broadcast channels in HD as part of its DTT offering.
With regard to decoders, do you intend to impose a maximum price to facilitate their acquisition by Beninese households?
As part of a support policy, the Beninese authorities intend to facilitate this technological migration for the population and guarantee the right to information. Thus, DTT decoders will be sold at a carefully considered price that is accessible to households and, above all, standardized throughout the country, as they will be subsidized.
When will you begin the public awareness campaign?
Benin has planned a
public
awareness campaign to be carried out by an agency. It will be coordinated by the DTT Steering Committee. It will begin soon, almost concurrently with the sale of reception kits, in order to meet the deadline for signal reception in households in the second half of the year.