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Decline in applications and registrations of set-top boxes: Department of Communications

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The Department of Communications and Digital Technology says it has observed a continued decline in applications and registrations of set-top boxes in a number of provinces.

The Department says it has been working with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), traditional leaders, community-based media and the SABC to ramp up its public awareness campaign to drive set-top box registrations and installations.

Communications and Digital Technology Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the total number of new registered households between April and July 2022 now stands at 61 155.

“And this is consistent with our message that it’s not a large number of people who qualify who have not applied for the set-top boxes. Based on the consolidated number of registrations and installations, including the rolled over number from KZN and Eastern Cape provinces which we could not install on time due to floods, we are now left with 244 000 installations to complete. We will continue to evaluate registrations for the period to September as we move towards determining the final switch off date that we’ll undertake consultations on,” says Ntshavheni.

VIDEO: Minister Ntshavheni briefs the media on digital migration 

Rural migration

Ntshavheni says most rural communities have long migrated through the purchasing of satellite and digital television sets. She says the reduction in set-top applications and registrations is an indication that most households have already migrated.

“The notion that people will be left behind is not there. Yes, you have instances where communities whom majority never took it seriously and now their waking up and taking it seriously. That’s why your ward councillors are coming in handy and your traditional leaders are coming in handy. That’s why we’ve made an arrangement where the community says the Post Office is far, or they do not know where they can get the form, they go to their ward councillor who has the information. We arranged for the ward councillor to collect the form at the Post Office or the forms are available at the Post Office through the collaboration with SALGA,” Ntshavheni added.

South African citizens and household earning R3 500 or less have been encouraged to apply and register for free set-top boxes and installation at their nearest Post Office or alternatively through the government website on www.stbregistration.gov.za.

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