The federal government has revealed that it has concluded plans to unveiled Digital Switch Over(DSO) in Lagos state on April 29, 2021 where over 1million Jobs could be created in three years.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The minister said the DSO would lead to the creation of jobs in manufacturing of Set Top Box or decoder manufacturing, TV production, film production, distribution such as the supply of STBs, TVs and Dongles for the internet as well as TV and online advertising.
Lai in his words said; “Analogue broadcasting provides a limited choice of programming due to restricted bandwidth, and it is no longer efficient technology. The same transmission channel used to broadcast a single analogue program could carry a multiplex of up to 20 digital programmes of equivalent quality.
“And that explains why the DSO television platform, branded as FreeTV, offers its viewers about 60 digital channels, including sports, music, movies, and news. FreeTVis available nationwide on both Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Direct To Home (DTH) transmission.
“In addition to broadcast services, FreeTV also provides Value Added Services, such as: Enforcement and Collection of TV Licenses, Premium PayTV channels, Push Video on Demand, Information Services Audience Measurement.
“We launched the DSO rollout in Jos, Plateau State, on April 30th 2016. Since then we have rolled out in four more states – Kwara, Kaduna, Enugu and Osun – and the Federal Capital Territory, bringing the total to five states and the FCT.
“We are now moving rapidly to cover the remaining 31 states. We are kick-starting the new rollout here in Lagos state on April 29th 2021. Kano state follows on June 3, 2021, Rivers State on July 8, 2021. Yobe State on July 15, 2021 and Gombe state on August 12, 2021, with more states slated thereafter.
“The rollout in Lagos reflects our decision to take the DSO to commercial centres across the country. With a population of over 20 million, and projected TV households of over 5 million, the launch of FreeTV in Lagos State will be a critical milestone for the DSO and for Nigeria’s broadcast and creative industry.
“The DSO is not just about high fidelity sound and picture, it is about creating jobs, especially for our teeming youth, stimulating local content and empowering channel owners.”
“Lagos State, which is the hub of the Creative Industry, will take a large share of the 1 million jobs to be created. Since FreeTV helps to provide value Added Services, the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs in Lagos State will be supported in the collection of Television and Radio Licenses from residents. With FreeTV’s push system for information services, the FreeTV platform can be used to broadcast information on Lagos State activities to all viewers
