By: Fred Yaw
Sarpong
The
National Communications Authority (NCA) has identified about nine uncertified
Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) receivers, mostly set top boxes on the
market.
The
telecom regulator however has seized them with the assistance of the Ghana
Police Service. The branded boxes include Mac Sunny, Open Box, Free Sat,
TuchnoSat, Odaimond Star, J-Star, Vidbox, Combo, and DigiSat.
According
to the NCA, they seized the boxes at Lapaz and Zongo Lane after they embarked
on market surveillance exercise on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)
receivers (televisions and set top boxes) in the Greater Accra Region.
“The
surveillance exercise is part of the Authority’s effort to protect consumers
when television analogue broadcasting finally switches over to digital
broadcasting. It is also to ensure that the DTT receivers sold on the Ghanaian
market have been certified by the NCA and conform to the acceptable standards,”
NCA said in a statement.
The
NCA said while there were certified receivers on the market, some dealers were
also selling uncertified receivers, thus putting the consumers at risk during
their visits to some markets.
The
Director for Engineering at the NCA, Mr. Henry Kanor said the Authority has
officers at Ghana’s ports who assist customs to check that all communications
equipment entering Ghana are safe and comply with our national standards.
He
mentioned that that although this was being done, some unsafe and uncertified equipment
was entering the market through other channels.
“The
NCA which has an important role in protecting the public from imported
unauthorized equipment, in taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance to
the type approval regime has employed the use of market surveillance,” he noted.
He
said it is important that dealers and importers comply to protect users with
regards to environmental health and safety standards including electromagnetic
radiation and emissions.
On
her part, Mrs. Nana Defie Badu, the Director for Consumer and Corporate Affairs
said it is very important for all consumers to educate themselves and be aware
of the DTT Migration Exercise.
She
further stated that the exercise is important not only to protect consumers
from dangerous products but also to ensure a level playing field for
businesses. Mrs. Badu said the exercise would be replicated in other regions.
NCA
said the surveillance exercise was conducted in accordance with Sections 71 and
72 of Act 775 of the Electronic Communication Act, 2008, which gives an
authorized officer of the Authority the power to: test equipment or an article
found in the place; examine a receiver displayed for sale, at a point of
import, or at a warehouse; and search for equipment, articles, books, records
or documents that may provide evidence of (i) contravention of this Act or of
Regulations, or (ii)require the owner or person in charge of the place to give
the authorized officer the reasonable assistance required for the examination
or search of the place
It
said surveillance exercise was also to seize and take away equipment, articles,
books, records or documents if it appears that there has been (i) a
contravention of this Act or of any Regulation or (ii) a breach of condition of
licence or frequency authorization, and lodge the items seized with the
Authority.
Effective
1st January, 2014, it became illegal to sell set-top boxes that do not conform
to the minimum specifications in the Ghana market per the DTT Receiver
conformance regime.
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