PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 21
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 7 AUGUST 2009
QUESTION PAPER NO: 6
DATE OF REPLY:
Mr T D Harris (DA-WC) to ask the Minister of Communications:
(1) Whether a timeframe has been developed for the implementation of
the Set-Top-Box Manufacturing Sector Development Strategy for
South Africa published in the Government Gazette of 22 July
2009; if not, (a) why not and (b) when (i) will the inclusive
Government-Industry partnership that envisages the participation
of the existing and new local manufacturers referred to in
section 3.4.3.5 of the abovementioned strategy be established
and (ii) will the tender for set-top-boxes be issued; if so,
what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether the forthcoming Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)
system includes a requirement for conditional access; if not,
why not; if so, what effect will such a requirement have on the
timeframe for migration;
(3) Whether the Cabinet-approved subsidy for set-top-boxes will be
distributed as a consumer-level voucher or rebate; if not, how
will the supplier-level contract be structured; if so, what are
the relevant details?
CW23E
REPLY:
1. Yes, a timeframe or the implementation of the Set-Top-Box (STB)
Manufacturing Sector Development Strategy for South Africa published
in the Government Gazette of 22 July 2009 has been developed. The
implementation plan will be an appendix to the final STB Strategy. It
is envisaged that STBs will be available in the market during the
first half of 2010.
2. No, the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) system does not include a
requirement for conditional access, as this is not prescribed by the
approved SABS STB Standard.
3. Yes, it envisaged that the scheme for ownership support (SOS) for STB
will be distributed through consumer voucher system. The development
of the SOS and its roll-out is at an advanced stage and will be made
available to the public after Cabinet approval later this year