Signal Distribution

Signal distribution is undertaken by signal distributors. These entities provide network infrastructure that receive content after aggregation from Content Service Providers for signal distribution. The signal distributors further provide for Subscriber Management Services (SMS), which are interfaces between the Content Service Providers and the subscribers. Each signal distributor is required to develop Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with Content Service Providers. Under this category the following licenses apply:

a) Public Signal Distributor – Provides nation-wide coverage and services to Content Service Providers (licensees) on a nondiscriminatory basis in order to provide universal access. The Public Signal Distributor in Zambia is TopStar..

b) Private Signal Distributor – Provides nation-wide coverage and service to Content Service Providers (licensees) on a competitive and non-discriminatory basis. The Private Signal Distributor in Zambia is Go Broadcasting.

TOPSTAR is a joint venture company created by the Zambian government between the Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and Africa’s leading digital TV operator StarTimes of China. The company has been given the full mandate to carry out the countrywide digital migration of television signal from the current analogue to digital.

Note: Signal Distributors are licensed by Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA).