Mozambique begins to switch off analogical television transmitters on Monday, the National Telecommunications Institute (INCM) announced today in a communiqué.

"On September 20 analogical broadcasting transmitters located in the cities of Maputo, Nampula and Tete will be switched off," reads the statement. This is the first shutdown in the process of transition to digital signal, to be completed by the end of the year. 

In the first phase, until September 30th, 16 transmitters will be switched off throughout the country. In the second phase, until the end of the year, another 14 will follow in more remote areas.

INCM recalls that the open digital terrestrial television signal in the country was inaugurated on October 08, 2020, in the city of Beira, by the Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi. 

"Our goal is to increase territorial coverage to 85% by 2024 and to begin the migration of Sonora broadcasting," the head of state explained at the time. 

The migration from analog to digital broadcasting is secured with $156 million in Chinese funding. 

The network combines 60 relays spread throughout the provincial capitals and several districts and will start with 18 open channels.

To connect analog TV sets to the new standard requires converters sold at authorized agents of Transport, Multiplexing and Transmission (TMT), the public company responsible for the signal, at a price of 1,200 meticais.