IN THE past two years, debate on digital migration in SA has been sharply divided between proponents of conditional access on set-top boxes and those against it.

Set-top boxes are needed to make it possible for households without a digital satellite subscription or satellite free-to-air television service to continue to have access to television once SA switches the broadcast signal from analogue to digital.

The big debate has been whether the set-top boxes should come fitted with a conditional access system, also called a control access. This is the software technology used to block access to a digital television service by unauthorised users by encrypting the transmitted programmes.

A typical conditional access system involves three basic elements: the broadcast equipment; a set-top box; and a security module, explains online technology website techtarget.com.

Conditional access can also be used for digital radio broadcasts, digital data broadcasts and consists of several basic components, techtarget adds.

Among these is a subscriber management system, which manages subscriber information and provides general information about the subscriber and the status of the subscription. There is also a security module, usually in the form of a smart card, or embedded in the set-top box. It is used for (among other things) decrypting transmitted programmes.

Some conditional access systems, such as Irdeto used by MultiChoice, enable pay-TV operators and other broadcasters to offer different payment options.

With conditional access, each decoder or set-top box is registered to a particular household and cannot be traded if stolen. In order to work, the box has to be switched on by a signal provider.

The debate over whether or not SA should go for conditional access has been the main reason for the country’s delayed switchover to digital. As a signatory to the International Telecommunications Union, SA is committed to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting by June this year, but the issue regarding the standard of the control system has stalled the process.

The department of communications finally gazetted the country’s digital policy on March 18. Government has decided against encryption or conditional access, though there will be a “security feature” in set-top boxes, aimed at protecting government investment.

Those in favour of conditional access say that including the system on decoders will guard against the boxes being illegally exported and discourage grey products from entering the country. They also say that since government will be subsidising the boxes, it must protect its investment and that the boxes could be used as a gateway to provide e-government services.

Job creation and the protection of local manufacturing are further reason to have control access, say proponents.

Those against the system say it will be costly, controlled by foreign companies, and benefit the encryption vendors as the software is updated.

Opponents also say conditional access could prevent SA consumers from adopting the integrated digital TV sets that will over time negate the need for set-top boxes.

Source: Financial Mail – Thabiso Mochiko and Samuel Mungadze