MACRA Director General Hails FM Spectrum Re-farming Exercise
MACRA's Daud Suleman says FM spectrum re-farming can solve broadcasting challenges, writes Judgement Katika.
LILONGWE, Malawi-The Director General for Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Daud Suleman, has hailed FM spectrum re-farming, saying it can solve broadcasting challenges, writes Judgement Katika.
Suleiman made the remarks Tuesday at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe when he was addressing the media on the exercise that the Authority is carrying out.
He said that frequency hoarding, failure to pay for frequencies, and depletion of frequencies in all the cities are some of the challenges that the media industry is experiencing in the country.
He added that the exercise started in December 2022 and is expected to be completed in January 2024.
The aim of the exercise is to realise free channels in the FM band to accommodate more licences and create job opportunities.
Spectrum re-farming involves the repurposing of spectrum bands for more efficient technologies and new services in the industry.
"This exercise is a long-awaited one, and we are happy that it is finally underway. We believe that it will go a long way in addressing the challenges that the broadcasting industry has been facing," said Suleman.
He urged all stakeholders in the broadcasting industry to cooperate with MACRA in order to ensure that the exercise is a success.
"We need everyone's cooperation in order to make this exercise a success. We urge all broadcasters to comply with the requirements of the exercise and to submit their applications on time," said Suleman.
The FM spectrum re-farming exercise is a major undertaking that is expected to have a significant impact on the broadcasting industry in Malawi.
The successful completion of the exercise will go a long way towards improving the quality of broadcasting services in the country.