Samoa’s much anticipated Digital TV project has been delayed to 2019 due to reasons beyond the government’s control and the Regulator’s Office.
According to the Regulator Lefaoali'i Unutoa Auelua-Fonoti, after two rounds of advertisements calling for interested companies to tender their Expression of Interest to operate the Digital TV platform, not a single EOI was made.
She said the onus is now with her office to search for an alternative solution.
“We have found an investor but details at this point in time cannot be released until all the underlying issues to ensure that both parties are satisfied are finalized.”
Cabinet had approved the Digital TV initiative.
“The initial plan was to prepare and plan the switch for 5 years then initiate the transition at the beginning of 2017 with December 2017 targeted as the date for completion,” Lefaoali’i said.
“After due diligence in preparations was completed, tenders were called inviting interested companies or consortium to run and operate the single multiplexer which is the platform for Digital TV. The same recommended platform is adopted by Fiji and other PI countries.”
“The concept is for one company to run and operate the platform and for all other broadcasters to hook up to it.”
Lefaoali’i assured that the public would be kept informed of developments .
Photo by Press Secretariat. Caption: Regulator Lefaoali'i Unutoa Auelua-Fonoti