With regards to digital terrestrial television, Cameroon won't be ready by June 2015 says communications minister, Issa Tchiroma. 'By 2015, we will not be entirely ready.' He made this admission while outlining the process of transition of the country to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).
Issa Tchiroma Bakary recalled the declaration which had sanctioned in January, the work of the 7th General Assembly of the African Union of broadcasting held in the Cameroonian capital. Radio and television of the continent had requested the postponement of the deadline of 17th June 2015 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for stowage of African countries.
The Minister welcomed the idea that the advocacy has been brought to the African Union so that the largest political organization of the continent will duly address it.
Cameroon, like many African countries, has set up an instance of digital transition management: follow-up Committee of the Cameroon digital television project (Cam - Dtv).
The body is chaired by the Prime Minister; the Vice-Presidency being carried out by the Minister of communications. It is on this basis that Issa Tchiroma Bakary gave a press conference October 22, 2014.
Although Cameroon won't be ready in less than 8 months, we must continue to work, the Minister said. He announced a broad public awareness campaign in the direction of all social strata.
Until November 10, the follow-up Committee of the Cam - Dtv will scan all 10 regions of the country to explain the contours of the digital switchover. "In Cameroon, as in other countries, it is imperative to take into account at least two major factors: socio-economic configuration and the cultural dimension of this migration.'' explained the Minister of Communication.
The country is still awaiting the arrival of set-top boxes intended for households that still use cathode ray tube TVs. In terms of content, Issa Tchiroma announced that DTT will be launched in Cameroon with 30 channels.
He however warned cable pirates, "The sector of cable television operators must comply with the existing framework to be put in place. It will be for them to broadcast only the channels which they have acquired the rights. They must acquire programs and group them into bouquets before serving to viewers," warned the Minister of Communication.
