Walesi transits into digital television, wider range, improved quality
The Fijian Government initiative to fully transition from analogue to digital television will usher in the modernisation of the broadcast sector, granting all Fijians equal access to a wider range of content and improved video quality.
This was a statement from the Walesi chief executive officer Sanjay Maharaj.
He said broadcasters were being issued new digital television broadcasting licences as part of the initiative which started its first phase this month.
“With the issuance of the new broadcasting licences, television companies are now able to broadcast using Direct To Home (DTH), Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) and Over the Top (OTT) broadcasting methods using Walesi’s platform,” Mr Maharaj said.
“Fijians will see a reduction in signal interferences, static, poor sound and bad picture quality, which was formerly experienced under the older analogue transmission systems. This is a major benefit of the transition to Walesi.
Broadcasting signals
“Broadcasting signals are also compressed when transmitted digitally, allowing for the creation of more channels, and the Walesi Set Top Box itself has a feature which allows viewers to record programmes - a benefit I am sure our viewers will fully enjoy and take advantage of.
“Additionally, digital technology is also more resilient and robust by design when compared to analogue services. As far as I am aware, the Walesi HUB has not suffered an outage during a cyclone, including Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.
“In comparison, analogue services have been decimated by nearly every cyclone that has struck Fiji and the repair works are incredibly time and resourceintensive.”
At the present time, Walesi has 21 digital transmitter sites across Fiji and that is already 300 per cent larger than existing analogue broadcast networks with expansion plans in the pipeline for Kadavu, Rotuma and Lakeba.
711 free TV sets and Walesi equipment installations have also been done in rural locations which grant more than 120,000 people access to the information age.
Broadcasting signals are also compressed when transmitted digitally, allowing for the creation of more channels, and the Walesi Set Top Box itself has a feature which allows viewers to record programmes - a benefit I am sure our viewers will fully enjoy and take advantage of.
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji, which runs Hope Channel, said the broadcast quality on Walesi enabled the church to reach its members at the most difficult times of the pandemic, and the church can only praise God for the platform that Walesi provides.
“The Fiji Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the operator of Hope Channel is grateful to Walesi and for the digital services, it is providing,” said the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji, president Pastor Nasoni Lutunaliwa.
“Walesi harnessed our mission during the pandemic and enabled us to reach out and serve our members and the general public, preaching the good news, the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Sanjay Maharaj Walesi chief executive officer