Ghana: 500USD per DTT device model

By Nana Appiah Acquaye, Accra, Ghana

Manufacturers and Importers of free to air digital terrestrial television (DTT) receivers such as set top boxes (STBs) and integrated digital TV sets (iDTVs) are expected to pay a fee of GHS1, 925.00 or its Dollar equivalent of US$500.00 (for requests emanating from outside Ghana) per model to the National Communications Authority (NCA).

It’s only after receipt of payment that the National Communications Authority will then certified the authenticity of a receiver and grant an official conformance logo confirming to consumers that the receiver is Ghana DTT compliant and safe for public consumption.

This development has become necessary following Ghana’s quest to carry out a transition of television broadcasting services in the frequency bands 174–230 MHz and 470–862 MHz from analogue to digital technology.

Operating under the Regulation of broadcasting spectrum and technical standards Section 2 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775, the National Communications Authority is mandate to regulate the radio spectrum designated or allocated for use by broadcasting organizations and providers of broadcasting services in accordance with the standards and requirements of the International Telecommunications Union and its Radio Regulations as agreed to or adopted by the Republic.

In furtherance of carrying out this function, the law mandates the Authority to determine technical and other standards and issue guidelines for the operation of broadcasting organizations and bodies providing broadcasting services hence the formulation of a conformance regime which will certifies all DTT receivers manufactured or assembled in Ghana or imported for use in Ghana.

Outlining the processes manufacturers and importers of DTT receivers will have to go through to secure a conformance logo, the regulator revealed that after acknowledging the receipt of the application within five working days upon receipt of the application, it shall then notify the applicant of any outstanding issues with the application within this period.

It noted that if the application is complete and satisfactory, the Authority shall grant the logo award within a period of not more than fourteen days, but  If the application is incomplete, or there are issues to be rectified, the applicant shall rectify them at his/her earliest convenience and notify the Authority of same.  “The Authority shall within a period not exceeding fourteen (14) days, grant the logo award after it receives notice that all issues have been rectified by the applicant,” it added.

Manufacturers are however advised to obtain approval from the National Communications Authority before producing any product packaging/ publicity materials featuring the Digital Ghana thumb logo.