25 May 2015

Botswana and South Africa have signed a deal on cooperation and coordination of the cross border interference for terrestrial services and other matters.

Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo and South Africa’s Minister of Communications, Ms Faith Muthambi signed the communiqué on May 21. The deal would help minimise cross-border radio frequency spectrum interference between the two countries.

The signing between Botswana and South Africa also intended to further strengthen and deepen the friendly relations that prevailed between the two countries in accordance with the Treaty of the Southern African Development Community and other instruments on regional integration.

The cooperation was determined to find new approaches and strategies for consolidating, expanding and deepening areas of economic development, industrial and trade cooperation between Botswana and South Africa, with specific focus on cooperation and coordination of cross border interference for terrestrial services and other related matter, which would be firmly guided by the principle of national sovereignty opportunities to implement world class projects and of a win-win outcome.

The collaboration is also done in recognition of the challenges posed by the imminent GE-06 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) deadline, in particular the challenges that arise in the deployment of digital terrestrial services and subsequent freeing up of the frequency spectrum for use of other services.

Additionally, such bilateral engagement was also in recognition of the common risks that have been identified, including management of analogue frequencies post switch over deadline of June 17, 2015 set by ITU, licensing of new broadcasters and synchronisation of the digital migration programme.

The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) resulted from a meeting of officials that was initiated by the two countries’ technical teams to engage on a strategy to manage the identified challenges and risk in areas of use of radio frequency spectrum management and related matters.

During their deliberations, the two countries agreed to cooperate to enhance the continued collaboration of the regulators in addressing matters of mutual interest on cross-border interference on terrestrial services and any other related matters, to share information between the countries on digital migration matters and to continue further engagement towards the development of the MoC.

Therefore, having completed the envisaged MoC, the two would report to the Bi-National Commission to be held in November.

In an interview after the signing ceremony, deputy permanent secretary- Information and Broadcasting and also the head of Botswana’s delegation, Mr Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo said Botswana and South Africa faced common challenges and interests in implementing digital television hence the fruitful engagement of the two parties on the day.

“And as Mr Solly Mokoetle has said, who was my counterpart as head of the South African delegation, we look forward to a fruitful collaboration going forward on the whole spectrum of issues that deal with digital migration broadcasting switch over. So, we look forward to a very long-term relationship over this transformational transition,” he added.

South Africa’s head of delegation and also head of South Africa’s Department of Communications Digital Terrestrial Television programme head, Mr Solly Mokoetle, expressed gratitude that the outcome of the deliberation that the Botswana and South Africa’s delegations had over the past two days resulted in the signing of the Joint Communiqué.

The two countries’ technical teams, Mr Mokoetle said had engaged efficient teams of technicians. He emphasised that deliberations between the two teams were gifted and blessed.

“We had very fruitful discussions. We are very happy as we leave as the delegation of South Africa. And going forward, we are sure that we will be collaborating on South Africa’s plans for digital migration, which will benefit the people of Botswana and South Africa,” he said

He added that the teams would be working hand in hand up until the set deadline of June 17, by the International ITU. “However, even going forward to ensure that the economic and media benefits of digital migration are delivered to the people of Botswana and South Africa,” he said. ENDS