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DBSF Caribbean Attracts Key Players in the Caribbean Digital Broadcasting Switchover Space

Senior technologists, regulators, broadcasters and market watchers leading the transition from analogue to digital transmission in the Caribbean region will converge at the DBSF Caribbean 2012 plenaries and workshops at the Grand Royal Antiguan Resort on August 13 and 14, 2012. Broadcasting CEOs and senior managers from key islands, including Barbados, Belize, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Surinam, Dominica and the host country, Antigua and Barbuda are gathering at this meeting which immediately precedes the Annual General Assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union.

Inspiring ministerial addresses will be delivered by:

  • Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor, the host Minister of information, broadcasting, telecommunications, science and technology, on the dawning of a new era in broadcasting
  • Hon. Senator Sandrea Falconer, Minister without Portfolio (Information), Jamaica and Chair of the Digital Switchover Committee, who will provide a sweeping view of regional regulatory issues concerning the switchover

Pham Hai, Head of Broadcasting at the International Telecommunication Union will complement them by providing a global perspective.

Alan Downie, Broadcasting Engineer consultant to the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association will steer a discussion on the fundamental issues of digital transmission and reception, including standards and modulation systems, with:

Practical issues of spectrum regulation, licensing policies and best practice will be headlined by:

  • Cordel Green, Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica
  • Michael Starks, Associate of Oxford University’s programme in comparative media law and policy

Funding the terrestrial infrastructure and financing consumer terminals are twin challenges for the switchover and will be tackled by a formidable panel chaired by CBU’s Secretary General, Patrick Cozier:

  • Stuart Jack, Partner, Nordicity Group
  • Myra Moore, Member, Digital TV Transition Group
  • Fred Mattocks, Executive Director, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Gary Allen, Managing Director, RJR Communications Group, Jamaica

Repurposing and creating content for the digital era and public information campaigns are critical aspects of digital switchover and will be addressed by:

  • Louella Edwards, IT Group Manager, Caribbean Communications Network, Trinidad & Tobago
  • Wilf White, Director of Policy and Communications, UK Switchover Help Scheme

Switchover to digital broadcasting has been accorded priority status by Caribbean Community (Caricom) and DBSF Caribbean, which is a joint effort of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, its sister agency, Commonwealth  Broadcasting Association and regional agencies, Caribbean Broadcasting Union and Caribbean Telecommunications Union, builds on preliminary meetings held in the region with practical advice and solutions.

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