South Africa has not set a deadline for switching off analog signals, and according to a recent Information and Communication Technologies policy report that may remain the case.
An ICT Policy Review Panel in its March report endorses a recommendation from the Independent Communications Association of South Africa that no decision on the analog switch off be made and that licensing of Digital Audio Broadcasting and Digital Radio Mondiale should be done simultaneously.
Despite the International Telecommunications Union not setting a mandatory date for the transition to digital radio, the South African government has been discussing both DAB and DRM. In their report, the ICT recommends the government perform trials on technology, develop a licensing framework, set aside spectrum, encourage and actively promote the institution of digital radio among its people. The panel also notes that ICASA should establish a standard, stipulating that all imported devices should have digital radio receivers.
The ICT panel submitted their recommendations to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services in March.
