Benin launched the reception of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) programs on Friday 17 February. It is a technological development based on the broadcasting of digital television signals via a network of terrestrial microwave transmitters.
After more than ten years of delay, Benin is finally switching from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting. This launching materialises Benin’s respect of the commitment made in the context of the International Telecommunication Union’s International Agreement, while at the same time it brings the country into the list of States having completed the digital transition of terrestrial television broadcasting.
Indeed, like most sub-Saharan African countries, Benin made a commitment in 2006 to go digital by 2015. This deadline was later extended to 2020, but will not be effective until this Friday. According to the authorities, the delay is due to the fact that the deadline for the supply and approval of decoders and the reliability of the technical network have been exceeded.
For this launching, a total of 16 channels are announced. These are 5 public channels (ORTB, A+ Benin, Ado TV, BB 24 and Hémicycle TV); 8 private channels (Canal3 Benin, Golfe TV, E Tele, TV Carrefour, Imanlè Africa TV, Canal 2 Star, Agri TV, Éden TV); and 3 foreign channels (France 24, TV5, TIVI5)
According to the Minister of Digital Affairs and Digitalisation, Adam Soulé Zoumarou, who presided over the launching ceremony, with DTT, the quality of reception is much better than with analogue. “Composed of 29 sites equipped with the latest generation of equipment, the DTT broadcast network is now an essential national infrastructure for providing broadcast services to content and vision publishers and distributors,” she said.
To receive more than 10 channels of the first free multiplex, all you need is a DTT reception kit that meets the technical specifications and includes: 1 HAAC-approved decoder, 1 rake antenna and accessories. The kit can be purchased from distributors nationwide. The decoder is capped at 10,000F and the antenna is capped at 6,000F or 8,000F depending on the model.
Benin TNT official Website : tnt.bj
