South African antenna manufacturer Poynting launched its DigiAnt TV antenna in Pretoria last month as part of the official opening of the Tshwane East Manufacturing Incubation Centre (TEMIC).

This is the first time that this type of antenna will be used for television and will also be mass-produced.

“The production of the DigiAnt, which promises to be a highly sought-after TV antenna in South Africa and worldwide, marks a milestone in South Africa’s progress towards digital migration,” Poynting’s Digital Television (DTV) business unit manager, Eduard Walker, said at the event.

He explained that Poynting had recently undertaken a joint venture with engineering company Lawrence Global Manufacturing, which specialises in the prototyping and mass production of sheet metal fabrication and machining components and will assist with the production of the DigiAnt.

The joint venture has made the establishment of the TEMIC manu- facturing facility possible, subsequently enabling production on the DigiAnt to start. Initial production is expected to start at the end of this month, with the factory reaching full capacity by June.

Lawrence Global Manufacturing has received a grant from the Incubation Support Programme of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to establish the incubation centre, through which small to medium-sized enterprises can be incubated for meaningful participation in the manufacturing opportunities emanating from DigiAnt.

The incubation centre will encourage the development of small businesses involved in the production of high-pressure aluminium die casting and the steel fabrication product value chain.

Poynting adds its own capital to the venture and contributes to DigiAnt’s intellectual property, which includes the antenna’s design and technology.

“This TV antenna looks completely different from any other TV antenna on the global market. Its key advantage lies in its size – when packaged, the DigiAnt is eight times smaller than other antennas; therefore, eight containers of standard-sized antennas will equal just one DigiAnt container,” Walker Said.

He added that this would be beneficial for South Africa’s digital migration, which will require the distribution of 12-million antennas throughout the country.

CEO and founder of Lawrence Global Manufacturing Gerhard Lawrence said at the launch that being awarded a grant by the DTI to enable the company to contribute to the process of digital migration in South Africa had been a major advantage.

“One of Lawrence Global Manufacturing’s objectives has been to expand our reach in the South African market. With government backing that has [made] this joint venture, we are well positioned to meet our goal of participating in large-scale economic activity.

“Additionally, being able to actively contribute to the manufacturing of a local product that is a world-class innovation provides the opportunity to showcase the company’s high-quality manufacturing processes and production capabilities,” he stated.

The DigiAnt will be 100% locally produced using local, recyclable materials. The International Telecom-munication Union requires that digital integration is completed in all countries by June 2015.