Ahead of the entrenchment of the digital brand of broadcasting in Nigeria by 2015, the federal government has concluded plans to ban the importation of analogue television sets and transmitters starting from June 17 this year.
Director-General, NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba, while stating this said from June 17, some TV sets currently in use in the country would stop working as only digitally-enabled sets would be functional; hence the need stop the importation of such equipments since they would no longer be useful.
In his words: “When the digital switchover happens, there won’t be importation of analogue sets, that is, the second-hand or ‘Tokunbo’ TVs and analogue transmitters anymore. Certain TV sets will not work again. People using digitally-enabled sets with digital tuners may not need decoders because signals can be picked from the air; but antennas will be needed.” He added that the commission will be working the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure the ban is effective.
