South Africa will switch from analogue to digital broadcasting from November 1 next year, government communications head Themba Maseko said yesterday.

South Africa will switch from analogue to digital broadcasting from November 1 next year, government communications head Themba Maseko said yesterday.

Following a cabinet meeting, Maseko said that government was making progress in the change over, in line with global trends.

"It approved that the digital signal be switched on, on November 1 2008, and that the analogue signal be switched off on November 1 2011, thus, allowing a three-year period of dual illumination," he said.

Cabinet also approved the retention of sufficient frequency spectrum for broadcasting purposes to provide for new television channels for specialised services that would be dedicated to education, health, the youth, small to medium enterprises, and sports, as well as three regional service channels catering for three channels each.

The trade and industry department willlaunch a communication campaign to inform and educate the public about the implications of this change. - Sapa