NBC Papua New Guinea replacing MW/SW with FM
“KIBI Gadona”, the voice of the conch-shell, can now reach all the remote parts of Papua New Guinera’s Central Province through the newly launched 95.5 FM. Charles Punaha, the CEO of the Papua New Guinea Telecommunications Authority (PANGTEL) officially handed over the FM radio station broadcast licence to the Minister for Communications, Patrick Tamur on Friday. This paved the way for National Broadcasting Cooperation (NBC) Central to broadcast through the first direct satellite service donated by the Australian Government.
“Central is the last province to switch to FM band, but you are the first to have the direct satellite service,” NBC Managing Director Joseph Ealedona told the gathering. He said that NBC will soon do away with its shortwave and mediumwave transmitters, replacing them with the crystal clear FM bands.
The Minister for Communications, Patrick Tammur, challenged the Central Provincial Government to take ownership of the NBC FM station in funding and supporting its operations. He said that radio plays a vital role in informing, educating and entertaining the majority of the people and thus needs provincial government support. “Radio still is the most effective means of communication, reaching the majority of the people in this country, regardless of our geographic settings,” Minister Tammur said.
The minister said that the NBC rehabilitation programs were a government initiative since 2008 to upgrade and renovate all its existing provincial stations in the country. “I challenge the board to take NBC to the next level. You should tap into the regional challenges.” He said the National Government in 2009 allocated K21 million (US$7.6 million) and asked the NBC board to continue its work in rolling out the television program launched in 2008.
The launching coincided with the NBC board meeting where its 2010/2015 corporate plan was discussed. NBC board chairman, Paul Reptario said that the organization was tasked to establish a nationally owned television station and to improve the 20 radio stations in the country. “A corporate reform program is being established. Twenty FM transmission stations launched and a TV station established,” Mr Reptario said.
The Central Provincial government committed K50,000 (US$182,000) to maintain and upgrade communication networks for the Central FM station. The provincial government also pledged annual assistance.
(Source: Sunday Chronicle/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
“KIBI Gadona”, the voice of the conch-shell, can now reach all the remote parts of Papua New Guinera’s Central Province through the newly launched 95.5 FM. Charles Punaha, the CEO of the Papua New Guinea Telecommunications Authority (PANGTEL) officially handed over the FM radio station broadcast licence to the Minister for Communications, Patrick Tamur on Friday. This paved the way for National Broadcasting Cooperation (NBC) Central to broadcast through the first direct satellite service donated by the Australian Government.
“Central is the last province to switch to FM band, but you are the first to have the direct satellite service,” NBC Managing Director Joseph Ealedona told the gathering. He said that NBC will soon do away with its shortwave and mediumwave transmitters, replacing them with the crystal clear FM bands.
The Minister for Communications, Patrick Tammur, challenged the Central Provincial Government to take ownership of the NBC FM station in funding and supporting its operations. He said that radio plays a vital role in informing, educating and entertaining the majority of the people and thus needs provincial government support. “Radio still is the most effective means of communication, reaching the majority of the people in this country, regardless of our geographic settings,” Minister Tammur said.The minister said that the NBC rehabilitation programs were a government initiative since 2008 to upgrade and renovate all its existing provincial stations in the country. “I challenge the board to take NBC to the next level. You should tap into the regional challenges.” He said the National Government in 2009 allocated K21 million (US$7.6 million) and asked the NBC board to continue its work in rolling out the television program launched in 2008.
The launching coincided with the NBC board meeting where its 2010/2015 corporate plan was discussed. NBC board chairman, Paul Reptario said that the organization was tasked to establish a nationally owned television station and to improve the 20 radio stations in the country. “A corporate reform program is being established. Twenty FM transmission stations launched and a TV station established,” Mr Reptario said.
The Central Provincial government committed K50,000 (US$182,000) to maintain and upgrade communication networks for the Central FM station. The provincial government also pledged annual assistance.
(Source: Sunday Chronicle/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
Gayle VH: Really a shame to hear of PNG plans for closing shortwave. As a tropical band Dxer for many years, PNG has been a favorite region to monitor, as well as use as using their stations to gauge early morning trop conditions. Monitoring Times magazine has also covered PNG in feature articles. Thankfully, they have been an easy series of stations to verify, and always remarked they "were surprised a listener could hear them on the other side of the world." I will miss chasing the PNG's.