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. 

SES expands its reach to two million TV homes in Ghana

SES increases its technical reach in Ghana, serves more TV homes in the country

• SES reaches two million TV homes in Ghana, an overall growth of 18% since 2014
• 91% of Ghanian satellite TV homes receive their channels via SES satellites
• Satellite grows and remains the central pillar of digital broadcasting infrastructure
• SES continues to be the world’s leading video platform

LUXEMBOURG/ACCRA — SES S.A. (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), a world-leading satellite operator, today announced the results of its Satellite Monitor study in Ghana, which shows that SES has increased its technical reach in the country to two million TV homes. This signifies an increase of over 18% TV homes in Ghana compared to 2014, which brings SES’s overall household reach in Ghana to more than 35% of all TV homes in the country.

The Satellite Monitor, an annual market research study commissioned by SES and carried out by various independent institutes, has been conducted for over 20 years in Europe and has now been successfully replicated in Ghana. Three thousand interviews were conducted for this study, the first of its kind to be carried out by a satellite operator in markets where digitalisation is a key focus and a national priority.

The SES Satellite Monitor findings illustrate the important role that satellite plays in the Ghanaian TV market. Additionally, the study provides credible statistics for the market and can be used by other industry players to further understand the broadcasting industry landscape.

Eric Lecocq, General Manager of North, West and Central Africa at SES, said, “We view our presence in Ghana as an investment in the national broadcast landscape through supporting local businesses in their efforts to contribute to the digital switchover process. The research results show that the African market is full of opportunities, and we will continue to develop our services to support TV operators and help them grow and reach new audiences. Furthermore, the research has a huge impact on countries such as Ghana, where digitisation is a major focus.”

Ghana publishes conformance procedure for Digital TV logos

Friday, January 31st, 2014 

NCA Publishes procedure for the award Conformance Logos for Digital TV sets and decoders

Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has published the procedure for the award of the Conformance Logos for Digital TV sets and decoders. This conformance procedure also called conformance regime requires all manufacturers and/or dealers of television sets and set-top boxes for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) to test their products with accredited laboratories before being granted the authorisation to use the conformance logos i.e. the Digital Ghana thumb logos. The logo will confirm to consumers that the receiver is Ghana DTT compliant.

The Authority has accredited and shortlisted eligible test labs around the world to provide standard tests on all models of set-top boxes (STBs) and integrated digital television sets (iDTVs), to verify that these DTT receivers conform to the Minimum Requirements for Free to Air (FTA) Digital Television Receivers.

The effective date of this regime is 1st January, 2014. Application forms for the conformance logo and the timeframes for processing the logo applications are contained in the publication. Dealers, manufacturers, agents and retailers of TV sets and set top boxes in Ghana are required to submit returns on the data of the purchasers of their products as required by the existing bodies of law. The publication details out the required information.

The Authority shall commence a nationwide public education on the conformance logos to guide the general public in their purchasing decisions. Consumers who wish to acquire TV sets and/or decoders should look out for the Digital Ghana thumb logos. They should also provide information on their names, area where the product would be used and telephone numbers upon purchase.

Accredited Conformance Test Laboratories:

DTG Testing Limited (DTGTL), London, UK
National Testing & Inspection Center for Radio & TV Products (TIRT), Beijing, China
Digital TV Labs, Bristol, UK
Altech Multimedia (AMM), Mount Edgecombe, South Africa
SONY EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
SONY EMCS EMC/RF Test, Chiba, Japan
SONY KODA EMC Test Laboratory, Aichi, Japan