Low income earners urged to apply for their digital television decoder
Once South Africa switches to digital television transmissions, all television sets will need a set-top box to continue working.
HOUSEHOLDS in Bergville, Dukuza, Winterton, Paulpietersburg, Louwsburg and Coronation, with an income below R3 200 per month, can now apply for a digital television decoder, popularly known as a set-top box, at their local post office.
Government provides subsidised set-top boxes for these households, and the Post Office handles all applications and distributions of subsidised set-top boxes.
The member of the household who applies for the set-top box should present a South African ID document, proof of income (in the form of a salary slip or three months’ bank statements), proof of residence and proof of a functioning television. To prove that you have a television set, you can bring along an affidavit made at a police station or a television licence.
Once South Africa switches to digital television transmissions, all television sets will need a set-top box to continue working. Households that already have a digital satellite subscription television service will not need a decoder.
The first five towns in the Northern Cape Province have already switched to digital television transmission, and all qualifying households in that area have been issued with set-top boxes.
The SA Post Office coordinates the installation of the set-top box with appointed installer.
