Government’s draft strategy to create a set-top box manufacturing hub – with the aim of bolstering the electronics sector – has the industry concerned about several aspects of the plan.

SA is in the middle of a three-year dual-illumination period, with digital and analogue broadcasts in place until November 2011. For South Africans to continue viewing television thereafter, they will either have to buy a TV with a digital tuner, or a set-top box. The full market launch of digital TV is expected to take place during the first half of 2010. Trials of set-top boxes and digital broadcasting signals are currently being conducted by the SABC, e-tv and M-Net.