Algoa FM has been experiencing an increase in the number of technical disruptions to its broadcasts, particularly over the past six months.
Algoa FM Managing Director, Alfie Jay explains; “South Africa remains under critical pressure in the energy sector and like all of our loyal listeners and clients, we too are experiencing the impact of load-shedding. We broadcast via twenty transmitters operated by our service provider, Sentech – a State Owned Entity licensed to carry our signal.
The majority of our transmitters are strategically located and are connected to one another, either via radio signal or data lines.
Given the strategic location and nature of each transmitter site, we share these points of transmission with a host of other radio stations, television, and mobile operators. Collectively, we are all reliant on stable electricity”.
Jay adds; “Apart from the array of backup systems including uninterrupted power supply and generators, the challenges faced include varying degrees of ailing infrastructure across municipalities to supply power from one site to another on differing load-shedding schedules, vandalism, cable, and battery theft.
Like most backup systems, these units were designed to be used for emergencies and not as an alternative to the supply of electricity.
As a result, there has been a marked escalation in servicing of equipment, responding to emergency breakdowns, and servicing/filling of generators in outer-lying areas. As far as data lines are concerned, our service providers include Telkom and several cellular providers, all of which are faced with similar challenges”.
Algoa FM appreciates the frustration felt by our loyal listeners and clients who intermittently aren’t able to listen to their favourite radio station. We continue to work closely with Sentech and our other service providers to broadcast a high-quality product and endeavour to minimise downtime wherever possible.
As an alternative, Algoa FM can be streamed via www.algoafm.co.za and is available on DSTV Channel 837.
To report breaks in transmission, kindly send an email to info@algoafm.co.za
