The National Communication Authority (NCA) is seeking public comments on its Draft Minimum Requirements for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) receivers as part of the transitional process from analogue to free-to-air digital television technology regime in Ghana.

A letter signed by NCA Director-General Paarock Essuman VanPercy said the transition would focus on television broadcasting services in the frequency bands 174–230 MHz and 470–862 MHz, adding that DTT would offer improved spectrum efficiency compared to analogue TV.

“It also offers enhanced video and audio quality, interactivity, as well as increased programme choices,” he said.

The statement said the standards for DTT receivers such as set-top boxes, integrated digital television sets, and other, would ensure that, all DTT receivers sold on the Ghanaian market conformed to the minimum receiver standard.

“The Authority shall upon publication of the minimum receiver standard, define a conformance regime and shall require all set-top boxes and integrated digital TV sets sold in Ghana to pass a conformance test to be certified.

The letter said ‘in pursuance of the Authority’s mandate under section 27 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775 and Section 4.1 of the National Telecommunications Policy 2005 (NTP’05), the Authority hereby invites views and comments from Existing and Prospective Broadcasting industry players; consumers of broadcasting and communications services and the General Public on the Draft Minimum Requirements for Free-to-air Digital Television Receivers.’

The NCA said the Draft Minimum Requirements for free-to-air Digital Television Receivers could be accessed on its website, www.nca.org.gh, adding that public consultation begins with immediate effect and ends at 5pm on 25th May, 2012.

The statement said all responses or comments should be electronically transmitted as e-mail attachments, in Microsoft Word format to secretariat.dbmc@nca.org.gh.