NBC Appoints Inview Technologies for Common Set-Up-Box System

National Broadcasting Commission, (NBC) has appointed Inview Technologies Limited, a UK based software company for the provision of a national Common Set-Top-Box system.

The appointment was followed with the signing of a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commissions and the software giant.

The agreement, according to NBC will see Inview Technologies Limited in collaboration with MTS Communications Limited, a consortium of Nigerian Broadcasters, make available the software for the provision of key services, such as collection of annual Digital Content Access Fee (DCAF); Conditional Access System (CAS); Electronic Programme Guide (EPG); Push Video-On-Demand on DTT; Interactive Advertising and carry out audience measurement amongst other added services.

Inview Technologies is a UK based software company that specialized in advanced EPGs for digital TV; interactive broadcast, and IP services and solutions for Pay-TV and analogue switch off market.

Their TV platform allows television broadcast and internet content to be simultaneously accessible to the viewers.

NBC said, the agreement would essentially help it give birth to the national Set-Top-Box platform that will enable commoalities for all digital television services in the country.

Thirteen Companies originally bidded for the digital TV System, which comprised Set Top Box (STB) software and Integrated digital TV (IDTV) Broadcast Services designed to deliver a national Common STB/DTV Control and Consumer Access Fee Mechanism; and Critical Additional Services Over the Digital Terrestrial and Satellite Networks in Nigeria.

In his remarks, Mr. Emeka Mba, director general of the Commission, described the event as culmination of many months of consultation and crucial steps towards the digital switchover in Nigeria.

He added that the Commission through this agreement hopes to create the biggest TV platform in Nigeria and around the African continent.

Mba further stressed that the agreement signing was paramount to moving closer towards the DSO and help give birth to the national set top box platform that would enable commonalities for all services in the country.

The NBC boss, however, promised that the Commission under his watch would ensure that it meets its obligations and urged the company to adherence strictly to the terms and conditions of the agreement in fulfillment of the expectations of the Commission and Nigerians in general.

He consequently reiterated the Commission’s commitment to midwifing a smooth switchover to Digital terrestrial television broadcasting in Nigeria.