awareness campaign around the process. No public or official
announcements were made relating progress was made relating to the
process.
March 2015

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) on 11 March, 2015 held
its first media briefing on the process at The Jameson Hotel, Harare. Chief
Executive Officer, Obert Muganyura presented the following main points;
1. The signing of a contract with Chinese telecommunications
company, Huawei Technology International on 25 February 2015
for the implementation of the digitisation programme which is set
to cost $125million. This signing followed a feasibility study for a
digital solution for Zimbabwe with Huawei and the three major
players in the migration process the Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation (ZBC), Transmedia and BAZ.
2. $200million had been raised for digitisation through licence fees
paid for a data-casting licence which was awarded to mobile
service operator NetOne.
3. Zimbabwe
would
comply
with
the
International
Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) 17 June 2015 deadline to
migrate from analogue to digital television broadcasting by
installing and switching on digital transmission equipment on the
country’s 24 transmission sites, with priority on the border sites,
and be in a position to switch these on by 17 June 2015. Another
6 new transmission sites would be added to the country, bringing
the total to 30.
4. Zimbabwe would deal with the remaining elements in the
digitisation
implementation
schedule
the
televisions
studios, content production centres, radio studios, renewal of FM
radio transmission network, a web TV system and an operational
and regulatory monitoring system between July – December
2015.
The press briefing did not allow for any questions for clarity or follow up
as the CEO was said to be busy running around with logistics related to
the process. However copies of the presentation were made available to
the media. No other press updates were held. However but an
organisation known as Zim Digital Migration- exhibited at the Zimbabwe
International Trade Fair (ZITF). The organisation which is a consortium of
players within the sector is expected to lead the public awareness
campaign on the process. No official announcement has been made of
stakeholders or mandate of the organisation.

May 2015

On 14 May 2015, The Newsday reported that the Media, Information and
Broadcasting Services deputy Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said the
government was going to meet the deadline.

Select target paragraph3