By Princewill Ekwujuru

As Nigeria by 2015 moves to digital broadcast, NTA-STAR TV network, owners of StarTimes appears to be pushing for a more robust broadcasting industry, while leading in the provision of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services in Nigeria, introducing MobileMoney platform from Stanbic IBTC.

Speaking, Mr. Joshua Wang,COO,NTA-STAR TV Network, said, DTT is designed to facilitate the switch-off of analogue terrestrial transmissions. In essence, ease the migration process from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting. The DTT is more efficient than equivalent analogue technologies and less wasteful of spectrum especially when deployed on a single frequency network.

“This explains that the DTT would enable the availability of more radio frequency spectrum, thereby ensuring that more channels, especially local contents are available on crystal clear picture and high quality audio.”

Further, he said,The DVB intends to bring maximum benefit for all stakeholders, including broadcasters, regulators, manufacturers and, perhaps most importantly, viewers. Regardless of which analogue transmission system is used, and regardless of the channel bandwidth used, the DVB-T offers a unique flexible solution that will enable a smooth transition to DTT.

Therefore, to ensure that more Nigerians enjoy the benefits of the DVB-T, for the time being, the key factor would be price, particularly in a country where the penetration of terrestrial TV is high and relatively low average income. Mr. thabo Makoko, Head,E-business, Stanbic IBTC,  said it’s introducing to StarTimes subscribers its MobileMoney platform through a special code to enable them pay for their subscription without carrying cash about.

According to him, “We therefore consider the efforts of the Nigeria government to promote e-payments as noble and a welcome development in the financial sector. The recent development is in line with the government’s agenda to reduce the flow of cash during business transactions”.

The MobileMoney would be  a safe, fast, easy and convenient way for our subscribers in different cities to make payments for their subscription. This would also ensure that subscribers can now make payments for their subscriptions via their mobile phone at ease, anytime, anywhere while employing the services of the ‘’MobileMoney’ as provided by Stanbic IBTC.