Qualifying households that apply for government-free decoders before 01 November 2021 will receive their decoders before the analog television signal is switched off.
Those applying after 01 November 2021 will only receive a decoder later.
The South African Post Office in a statement said qualifying families are therefore urged to visit their local post office to apply for a free government-subsidized decoder.
After 01 November 2021, only digital television transmissions will be broadcast and analog television sets will only work if it is connected to a decoder.
All South African households with an income of R3 500 per month or less and have a working television set, qualify for a government-subsidized decoder.
Qualifying beneficiaries must visit their nearest Post Office branch with their South African identity document, proof of address, an affidavit to confirm that the family has a working television set, a bank statement or affidavit to confirm that the family income is R3500 per month or less.
People receiving a SASSA grant do not need to bring proof of income or a police affidavit. The Post Office branches have a standard affidavit that the applicants can use to declare their income. This includes confirming that they own a working television set and confirming their residential address.
Once an application is approved, the information is given to Sentech to appoint a local installer to install the set-top box. Some families registered for a set-top box in the beginning, but the installation has not been done yet. Installations are done per province and appointment of local installers is done by Sentech via local municipalities.
There is no need to re-register receive a set-top box. People who are SASSA beneficiaries and have a working television set, qualify for the subsidized set-top box.
The television and radio channels that will be available on the digital broadcast through the decoders include SABC 1, 2, 3, SABC Sport, SABC Education, SABC Encore, SABC News, Parliament, Africa Magic Epic, Mzansi Bioskop, M Movies 4, Mzansi Wethu, S Sport Blitz, SS Select sport, Discovery TLC, Disney JNR, Nick Toons Mzansi Music, Channel O, Dumisa, Mnet Go, 790 CSN and the radio stations included are Radio 2000, Metro, Good Hope, RSG, 04 Channel Africa, 5FM, Lesedi Fm, Lotus, Ukhozi, SAFM, Umhlobo, Thobela, Motsweding, Munghana Lonene, Phalaphala, Ligwalagala, Ikwekwezi, Tru FM, X K FM.