. Mukanga

By BRIAN HATYOKA –
THE Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region is leading in the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) migration in Africa, secretariat telecommunications programmes officer George Ah-Thew has said.
Meanwhile, Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said Government is determined to ensure that products imported on to the Zambian information and communication technology (ICT) market are of good quality and safe to use.
Dr Ah-Thew said all SADC member States were planning to meet the June, 2015 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) deadline on DTT migration.
He was speaking in Livingstone at Zambezi Sun Hotel yesterday during the SADC and ITU workshop on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment conformity assessment programmes.
“SADC member States are in the process of importing massive amounts of Set Top Boxes (STBs) of different standards, levels of complexities and brands from around the world.
These units are presently not tested in SADC member states. Since these STBs are currently manufactured on order, there is need to set up a test lab to assist member countries,” Dr Ah-Thew said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mukanga said the Government wanted to ensure all ICT products in the country were genuine and safe to use.
The Zambian Government through Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) had undertaken various activities towards achieving conformity and interoperability.
ZICTA has partnered with the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) in the development of standards for the ICT sector.
Mr Mukanga said standards which had been developed by ZICTA and ZABS would be the basis for monitoring and ensuring that products used in the ICT market were safe and of high quality.
“Let me assure you that the Government is also committed to promoting and participating in SADC programmes aimed at promoting network interconnection in the region,” Mr Mukanga said.
He also asked SADC member countries to support Zambia’s candidature at the ITU council seat elections next week in Busan Korea.
ZICTA director general Margaret Mudenda said it was undeniable that ICTs were key engine for economic growth and social development.
In a speech read for her ZICTA director of technology and engineering Patrick Mutimushi,
Zambia had witnessed an upturn of many prominent ICT equipment band distributors being established and registered in the country.