DIGITAL SWITCHOVER TO ADVANCE COUNTRY’S BROADCASTING INFRASTRUCTURE... 2/2

“There is also the capability for the same television broadcast signal to send data. So Educational Institutions could send material to a home television or even a smart device without using the internet. Not having data at the time does not deprive you of using content coming into the home. That portends a lot that we will be able to do from an Education point of view,” he points out.

In May 2020, Cabinet approved, among other things, the commencement of the DSO in 2022 with the ATSC 3.0 standard. For the transition period, broadcasters will simultaneously engage in analog and digital transmission simulcasts as they develop and test their facilities.

“You can’t shut off the old television system until we have enough new TV receivers people will use. We also can’t shut off until the consumers are ready, and of course, the broadcasters need to be ready,” Mr. Green states.

When the transition is completed, analog television transmission will cease at stations, and all free-to-air analog signals will be turned off and replaced by digital signals.

To receive the ATSC 3.0 channels, persons will have to purchase ATSC 3.0 televisions or continue to use existing televisions with a set-top box.

Viewers that receive television programming via cable or satellite service will continue to have access to free-to-air TV stations.

However, viewers that use over-the-air reception such as rooftop or rabbit-ear antennas will need an ATSC 3.0 compatible television or have the signal converted via a set-top box to enable their standard analog TV to receive the digital signal.

Mr. Green says Jamaica’s initial implementation time of 2023 for the switch has been altered due to adverse factors affecting global supply chain systems.

“That date is going to be revised. The recommendations were made pre-COVID. It had a very aggressive timeline that contemplated 2023. That is now not a reasonable deadline due to the impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain and the Ukraine-Russia war, weighing down on the ability to get ships for these advanced systems,” he explains.

Nevertheless, Mr. Green says Jamaica is far advanced in its preparations and will be among a handful of countries, including the United States of America and South Korea, to first make the transition to NextGen television technology. He, however, states that Jamaica will have the distinction of being the first country to leap analog directly to the ATSC 3.0 technology rather than making the gradual transition as other countries have done.

“We have ATSC 3.0 transmitters turned on now in Jamaica being tested by the television stations,” he reports.

SMALL BUSINESSES RESILIENT DESPITE CHALLENGES... 1/2

Holding a positive outlook regarding the growth of various sectors in 2023, Small Businesses are banking on their resilience to overcome the growing list of challenges that continue to impact them.

From having had to redefine their business models, digitize operations, reduce staff, or deal with the headwinds of a harsh economic environment and its spillover effects, entrepreneurs and other members of the Small Business community locally are remaining bullish on opportunities, particularly some new ones on which they want to capitalize in 2023.

"Crisis is now the new normal, so we remain positive in our outlook. Over the last few years, we faced COVID, the war in Ukraine, threats of monkeypox, and so much more. We continue to be resilient in our response. From an on-the-ground experience, entrepreneurs are seemingly hopeful as we have learned and continue to learn the art of resilience, which makes us ready for success in an uncertain future," said the President of the Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA) Cordell Williams-Graham in sharing an outlook with the Jamaica Observer recently.

However, local entrepreneurs are one of many in expressing optimism despite the concerns. In the US, data from a recent survey conducted by JPMorgan Chase & Co for its annual Business Leaders Outlook indicate that despite the heightened concerns for inflation among small businesses in that country, a vast majority said they were optimistic about their expected performance this year. As a result, more than half of those polled in a survey have signaled that they project to increase revenues and sales in 2023.

"Businesses are signaling that exercise agility and prepared are for several different scenarios, which are keys to operating effectively in today's economy," commented John Simmons, Head of Middle Market Banking and Specialized Industries at JPMorgan Chase.

Like in the US, Jamaican Small Businesses have become increasingly creative in navigating various shocks.

Pointing to the opportunities her members seek to take advantage of Williams-Graham, said automation and E-Commerce are at the top of the list. However, she adds that the use of co-working spaces and greater participation in various accelerator programmes are also crucial.

SMALL BUSINESSES RESILIENT DESPITE CHALLENGES... 2/2

For members of the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ), their President Michael Leckie — in highlighting the areas being targeted by his over 4000-strong membership base this year — said they were more concentrated on opportunities in Agri-Business, Nearshoring, and Online Marketing.

In calling for a tripartite approach to fully equip the sector, he expressed his greatest hope of seeing better collaboration across the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, and the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce, in which Small Businesses are based. Working together to prepare small businesses for the transition and get them ready to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

"Agriculture is going to be one of the major growth drivers for the economy this year, so there needs to be a pivot by our business members into this sector. This will allow them to develop new products and drive additional revenues for their companies. Also, when we look at what is happening with logistics, we know there is an increased need for nearshoring. This is a big market which we must now come together as a region to develop a serious trading block," he told the Business Observer.

Beckoning the Government to further increase its support to the sector, Leckie believes that more can be done to incentivize, regularise, and open up more access to funding for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in their quest for growth this year.

"On the part of the sector, there has to be a readiness, but there also has to be a strong Government push. They have started, but it's still not enough. We think there ought to be a greater push this year — and it has to be coupled with mainly grant funding and other low-interest working capital support for small businesses," he said.

Admitting that there was an even larger informal sector operating locally, he urged operators to become formalized and to get themselves ready to benefit from some of the programs already available.

The SBAJ head updated previous statistics, revealing that about 40% of its members have had to close up shop since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data from the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) showed that over 8000 new companies were formed last year. This indicates that progress is being made. Efforts which he, like the YEA president, credits to the strength and perseverance of the sector.

"Jamaicans are naturally resilient, so as Small Businesses, we will not just sit back. We will use these opportunities to create new enterprises. Despite the challenges, we remain cautiously optimistic as we continue to fight for the growth of our members and sector " Leckie said.

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