TBC, UCSAF begin digital migration plan for radio services
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), in collaboration with the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) has begun preparations to migrate radio services from the Frequency Modulation (FM) system to digital technology.
The move is aimed at keeping pace with technological developments and implementation of the National Development Vision 2050.
The initiative marks the beginning of a broader process to assess and establish the necessary conditions for the radio sector to migrate to digital broadcasting, following a similar transition in television services.
Speaking yesterday during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between two entities at TBC headquarters in Dar es Salaam, TBC Director General, Asha Dachi said the transition is important because radio remains a major communication link between the government and the public.
She said preparations for the digital migration of radio will assess suitable technologies, potential challenges and ways of improving broadcasting services across the country.
“I would like to stress that this journey should be part of our broader national plans. Tanzania has the National Development Vision 2050, and we would be doing ourselves a disservice if we reached that Vision without ensuring that the radio sector has also made significant progress in digital technology,” said Ms Dachi.
She added that radio is an important communication tool between citizens and their government, noting that where radio services are unavailable or performed poorly, an important link connecting citizens with the government can be weakened.
“Citizens need to know what the government is planning, doing and heading. At the same time, the government also needs to hear and understand the needs, challenges and expectations of its people,” Ms Dachi said.
UCSAF Chief Executive Officer, Mulembwa Munaku said the fund has implemented various projects to improve radio coverage since 2019.
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He said UCSAF has allocated more than 15.3bn/- to 37 projects, including 3.3bn/-set aside in the current financial year for projects aimed at expanding radio coverage.
He said the partnership is in line with the sixth phase government’s efforts to ensure that every citizen has access to communication services, including mobile communications, broadcasting, internet and other services.
Mr Munaku said procurement procedures has already begun to identify contractors to implement the projects. He said continued investment in communication towers and infrastructure, alongside TBC’s provision of information through its stations, including community radio stations, will help ensure citizens received important information on government plans and implementation.
Mr Munaku said the partnership between TBC and UCSAF has reached 10 years since 2027, resulted in a total of 16.93bn/- being allocated to projects aimed at expanding national radio coverage and improving TBC radio services.
As part of efforts to improve TBC studios he said, UCSAF has implemented two projects between 2017 and 2019 worth 1.63bn/-to upgrade community radio studios in Arusha and Dodoma regions.
