The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has today unveiled several new guidelines and standards for DVB receivers, FM Radio Stations, TV live broadcasts (think compliance to minimum broadcasting standards), Personal Mobile Radio (PMR) systems and the quality of standards for television broadcast standards in Uganda.
UCC is mandated under Section 5 of the UCC Act of 2013 to, among others:
- Monitor, inspect, license, supervise, control and regulate communication services (which includes FM radio broadcasting services).
- Allocate, license, standardize and manage the use of the radio frequency spectrum resources in a manner that ensures the widest variety of programming and optimal utilization of spectrum resources;
- Set national standards and ensure compliance with national and international standards and obligations laid down by international communication agreements and treaties to which Uganda is a party;
- Set standards, monitoring and enforce compliance relating to content.
- Safeguard the interests of consumers and operators as regards the quality of communications services and equipment;
These are the guidelines and standards that UCC has developed;
Guide of the Commission standard for DVB receivers
The Commission has developed standards for Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) receivers that users, manufacturers, and suppliers of DVB Receivers should reference for the requirements/specifications for receivers imported, sold and used in Uganda.
The Standard for Digital Video Broadcast receivers
The UCC standard for DVB – Receivers are established to enable equipment manufacturers and suppliers of DVB Receivers for the Ugandan market, to provide receivers that are compatible to the available broadcast standards and provide the desired fixed and mobile reception of DVB transmissions.
The establishment and operation of an FM radio station in Uganda. These guidelines intend to improve compliance in the industry by facilitating awareness on the regulatory requirements for the establishment and operation of a radio station in Uganda.
The Standard for Programme Making and Special Events Operations and Apparatus
UCC wishes to prescribe the terms and conditions for the use of Programme-making and Special Events Apparatus in Uganda.
Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) covers radio applications used in Services Ancillary to Programme making (SAP), Services Ancillary to Broadcasting (SAB), Electronic News Gathering (ENG), Outside Broadcasting (OB) and applications used in meetings, conferences, and other public or private events/gatherings.
The Standard for Personal Mobile Radio in the Band 446.0-446.2 Mhz
UCC’s outline the authorisation and operational requirements for Personal Mobile Radio (PMR) systems in Uganda in the frequency band 446.0-446.2 MHz. They further define the minimum technical parameters and regulatory considerations that shall govern the operation of PMR in the allocated frequency bands in accordance with the Uganda Table of Frequency Allocation (UTFA).
Personal mobile radio (PMR) communications is a form of land mobile communication. It is used in the simplex mode of operation, with the same radio frequency channel being used for sending and receiving voice and data messages but without employing any switching mechanisms
Quality of Service (QoS) standard for television broadcasting services in Uganda
This standard seeks to:- Define the QoS parameters and associated threshold; Specify the methodologies for measuring, reporting and recording the performance against various performance aspects; Empower consumers to drive the provision of quality services by making informed choices.
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