In response to the Robert Kirby column (November 30), the smartcard swap has been necessary to upgrade the security for decryption and reliability of our signal. Internationally, pay-TV operators are upgrading smartcards every two to three years as technology evolves.
MultiChoice Africa has deployed agents across the country to facilitate convenience to subscribers. The query with regard to the use of local agents is valid. Unfortunately, not all agents form part of the online network and infrastructure required by the project. Where there has been a lack of representation, we have implemented interim swap points to minimise impact to subscribers. For security reasons we were not able to send cards by post, which means it has been necessary for subscribers to travel to MultiChoice centres to exchange their cards.
Regarding the cases mentioned, we note: for subscribers in Pongola, we have a MultiChoice agent in Vryheid, who has swapped a number of cards of Pongola residents when they have gone to do their weekly or monthly shopping. Even closer to Pongola is Piet Retief, and although we do not have an agent there, the Ermelo agency has arranged to go to Piet Retief specifically to swap smartcards for people in the area. The date and details have been advertised in local newspapers.
A project office has been set up for the smartcard process, in addition to the dedicated call centre, agents, installers, marketing and corporate affairs departments, all of which can supply information on the smartcard swap process.
With regard to the black screens or interruptions to our transmission, we sincerely apologise to our subscribers and assure that it was in no way purposely done to encourage the smartcard process. A technical problem was experienced with the initial commencement of the simulcrypting (encryption of the signal to both version 1 and 2 cards simultaneously), but we immediately rectified it in order to prevent any further interruptions to our subscribers. Lebogang Hashatse, GM corporate affairs, MultiChoice Africa