PAN SHOT
GATESAIR AND PINNACLE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT NEW OVER-THE-AIR DTV SERVICE LAUNCH IN NIGERIA GatesAir accelerated delivery of its solutions
GatesAir and Nigerian channel partner Pinnacle Communications Limited have announced the buildout and launch of a turnkey DVBT2 transmission system serving the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. The DVB-T2 system supports the switch-on of a new over-theair DTV service now delivering 30 channels of high-quality news, information and entertainment to Abuja residents. GatesAir and Pinnacle Communications designed, delivered, integrated and commissioned the complete solution on behalf of Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over a three-month period, which includes main and backup GatesAir high-efficiency Maxiva™ ULXT liquid-cooled transmitters for content delivery. GatesAir also supplied the DVB-T2 headend, which optimizes UHF spectrum for multichannel services, along with all electrical material and RF systems required for the greenfield buildout. GatesAir has worked closely with Pinnacle Communications since 1998, launching TV and FM radio systems across Nigeria. The TMBi - 16
GatesAir CEO Phil Argyris
FCT Abuja system represents the second phase of a digital switch-on, which is expected to eventually reach more than 50 million homes and 170 million residents. “The Abuja project began as a greenfield site in early September, and we worked closely with GatesAir and the National Broadcasting Commission through its inauguration on December 22,” has said Mr. Dipo Onifade, Executive Director of Pinnacle Communications. “This tight schedule was quite a challenge, and its success proves how well the two companies work together to deliver complete digital broadcasting solutions with exceptional quality.”
“GatesAir accelerated delivery of the ULXT transmission system and DVB-T2 headend to support the launch of two program multiplexes, which was an enormous help to meeting this deadline,” has explained Sir Lucky Omoluwa, Chairman of Pinnacle Communications. “GatesAir worked closely with Pinnacle Communications and Nigerian stakeholders to architect the most efficient configuration, ensuring the complete ecosystem is consistent. Viewers within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja ultimately benefit with 30 free-to-air channels.”
The next phase is targeted in June 2017 Pinnacle Communications anticipates a total of 70 additional RF sites for comprehensive national coverage. The next phase, targeted for completion in June 2017, according to the Director-General of NBC, is expected to cover six states from each of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Pinnacle Communications confirms that GatesAir will deliver ULXT liquid-cooled and UAXT air-cooled transmitters to support the rollout.