Digital TV: Thanks to Biya, our country saved 62 billion – Tchiroma

The Minister of communication glorified the role of Paul Biya in the choice of partner that will accompany Cameroon in the process of migrating to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) which should be commenced no later than July 15, 2015.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary gave a talk on Friday, June 26, 2015, in Douala, on the migration of Cameroon to Digital Terrestrial Television (TNT). The Minister of communication explained that the leader of the Cameroonian State, by his instruction, helped Cameroon save a lot of money.

"I can tell you that the head of State was divinely inspired. Through this communication, our country saved 62 billion. That is to say that without this competition, our country will not have saved 62 billion. We obeyed the instructions and thanks to this we saved 62 billion. Due to this, we will save more than 100 billion," he told journalists gathered at the Camtel Agency in Akwa.

Earlier, former activist of the National Union for democracy and progress (Undp), recalled the terms of engagement of the process of migration of Cameroon DTT. He was approached by South Africans, the French, the Chinese, the Americans but first of all the South Koreans with whom "it nearly pulled through”.

Unfortunately, both parties did not accord to the interest rate and the term of the loan. "The World Bank and other investors alongside Cameroon have expressed that beyond 2%, the loan is not sustainable for Government and there is the need for some time delay and time to repay the debt," justified Issa Tchiroma.

Subsequently, Paul Biya asked the Minister of public procurement to put the Chinese ZTE, Star time and Huawei into the competition, which was done.

Experts from various governments structures involved in the process of migration in the TNT studied the records and submitted them to the president of the Republic. They chose Star Time which Tchiroma presented as a company which works with states everywhere in Africa.

They financed the purchase of equipment that will be used to experiment DTTV in Cameroon. This technology will enter into force "July 15, 2015", said Issa Tchiroma Bakary. It will not involve radios and public television will be responsible for broadcasting DTT. At least 6 televisions will be able to transmit on the same frequency and only 30 have been retained.

The selected stations are those who have shown that they are able to provide at least 70% of programs produced locally in Cameroon. Until now, Malawi, Rwanda, Mauritius, Tanzania and Mozambique are the only African countries who have adopted TNT.