CORAL SPRING, Trelawny — Jamaica is being cautioned not to rush its complete switchover from analogue to digital TV, a move planned for next year.

The technology was adopted here in December 2021 and Television Jamaica began digital broadcasts just six months ago. However, local officials have shot down the concerns raised about the 2023 timeline, saying they are being addressed and the switchover may be completed even earlier than planned.

Gary Sgrigmoli, an engineer with a digital broadcast television consulting firm in the US, on Tuesday expressed concern that the switchover is technically difficult and there is the threat of leaving vulnerable sections of the population behind.

“You gotta be careful on how this proceeds. The fact that you are jumping from analogue to ATSC 3.0 is challenging,” he cautioned.

Sgrigmoli was responding to a question from the Jamaica Observer after a presentation he made during Tuesday’s opening session of the Advanced Television Committee’s (ATSC 3.0) boot camp and seminar.

South Korea was the first country to adopt and start transmitting free-to-air television broadcast utilising the ATSC 3.0 digital technology standard in 2017, followed by the United States. Jamaica will be the first country to leap from analogue technology directly to digital.

Also referred to as NextGen TV, ATSC 3.0 is a consensus-driven collaborative effort in the implementation of a television standard that can deliver 4K HDR video, enhanced dialogue, on-demand viewing options, advanced emergency messaging and better reception.

But there are some pitfalls. According to Sgrigmoli, the cost and availability of television sets that are ATSC 3.0 compatible or converter boxes could be a challenge for consumers wishing to make the upgrade.

“The transition must be done very carefully. It’s gotta be done when there is enough receiver equipment at a reasonable price for folks of all economic levels. Some wealthy people may go and buy a new big screen TV, if they want, with ATSC 3.0. If they are not wealthy, then where do they get a TV?” asked Sgrigmoli rhetorically.

“You don’t want to turn off analogue too soon,” he cautioned.

Consumers without ATSC 3.0 capable television sets may use converter boxes to access digital content and executive director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) Cordel Green told the media that the Government will ensure that access is widely available.

“We will not do anything with digital switchover that imperils the ordinary Jamaican, because that would be counterproductive,” he said.

In the US, which made the switch from analogue to ATSC 1.0 in 2009 and is now rapidly deploying ATSC 3.0 across several states, the Government partly subsidised converter boxes utilising coupons for the most vulnerable.

In ensuring wide access locally, it appears the Jamaican Government will take the lead with heavy reliance on the private sector.

“One of the fundamental concerns of the Government is how we give the most vulnerable access to this technology and those are conversations that we are going to have to have going forward. But fundamentally, we believe that as a Government that it must be private sector ready, it must not be led by us because we recognise that Government is not good at running business,” said minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Robert Morgan, who also has responsibility for information. He was speaking during the VIP dinner on Tuesday

The BCJ’s Green also spoke about the business side of the issue when he explained that the timeline for the switchover may even be shorter than originally planned.

“The earlier you manage the switch off, the better; because until you switch off you are doing simulcasting, which is expensive. It is not good for the environment and business. You are using up electricity and resources to run two transmissions, one analogue and one digital,” he explained.

“I think the broadcasters have an interest in it being as early as possible but a lot will be dependent on how quickly the Jamaican people have the receivers. For the new signal, it will depend on broadcasters and their roll-out. Then you will have to manage some risk such as the impact of the Russia/Ukraine war on supply chain and all of that. So, we have a plan and we are working towards that plan. But like all plans, you have to build a risk mitigation strategy,” the BCJ executive director stressed.

Green also suggested that there may be the need for further amendments to the existing legislation. One such change would allow broadcasters to utilise the full functionalities of ATSC 3.0. He said there is currently a working group looking at the issue.

Meanwhile, president of the ATSC Madeleine Noland has congratulated Jamaica for the path taken.

“I would like to say that we are excited and energised to be here in Jamaica to congratulate you on selecting ATSC 3.0 for the digital switchover for the nation,” she said during the opening session.

“The work you are doing and continue to do to develop, deploy and promote ATSC 3.0 shows your commitment to your own future success,” she added.