the term can also imply the combination of two functions, or the interaction of two firms, where one is a producer and the other a distributor. Describing the phenomenon, Tomaselli and Dunn (2001:1) note that: Convergence is the current buzzword in telecommunications studies. It is the term applied to the standardization of transmission systems, while digitalization is the common factor in transmitting technologies. This occurs through computerization, which brings together print and electronic media channels. This is the period during which productive forces have shifted from an industrial to an information-based economy. The potential reach or technology in this epoch is global and trans-disciplinary (Tomaselli, and Dunn, 2001:1). Sentech exemplifies the concept of convergence in two ways: its diversification from providing broadcast signal distribution alone to providing a variety of services, including Internet provision; and its capacity to service SABC together with competing broadcasting stations after its formal separation from SABC. The concept of convergence focuses on technological changes, so-called digital convergence” (: “the 2000). It results in creation of different genre. Convergence has led to new methods of media production and access, demanding new computer-related skills from media workers. Technologically, convergence denotes greater overlap between broadcasting and older media forms such as newspapers. For example, more homes are now linked into the advanced high capacity communication networks and, through these, are able to receive a range of multimedia, interactive and other ‘new’ media communication services as well as conventional television and telephony (Doyle, 2000b: 3). Digital technologies that first affected convergence in the media, information technology (IT) and telecommunications sectors went on to trigger further convergence in a growing range of communicating consumer electronics devices (: 2000). 6.5 Digitalization of Technologies Digitalization is reduction of pieces of information to the form of digits in a binary code consisting “the of and ones” (Doyle, 2002b: 3). Digital technology is an important element in the dissemination of
the term can also imply the combination of two functions, or the interaction of two firms, where one is a producer and the other a distributor. Describing the phenomenon, Tomaselli and Dunn (2001:1) note that: Convergence is the current buzzword in telecommunications studies. It is the term applied to the standardization of transmission systems, while digitalization is the common factor in transmitting technologies. This occurs through computerization, which brings together print and electronic media channels. This is the period during which productive forces have shifted from an industrial to an information-based economy. The potential reach or technology in this epoch is global and trans-disciplinary (Tomaselli, and Dunn, 2001:1). Sentech exemplifies the concept of convergence in two ways: its diversification from providing broadcast signal distribution alone to providing a variety of services, including Internet provision; and its capacity to service SABC together with competing broadcasting stations after its formal separation from SABC. The concept of convergence focuses on technological changes, “the so-called digital convergence” (: 2000). It results in creation of different genre. Convergence has led to new methods of media production and access, demanding new computer-related skills from media workers. Technologically, convergence denotes greater overlap between broadcasting and older media forms such as newspapers. For example, more homes are now linked into the advanced high capacity communication networks and, through these, are able to receive a range of multimedia, interactive and other ‘new’ media communication services as well as conventional television and telephony (Doyle, 2000b: 3). Digital technologies that first affected convergence in the media, information technology (IT) and telecommunications sectors went on to trigger further convergence in a growing range of communicating consumer electronics devices (: 2000). 6.5 Digitalization of Technologies Digitalization is “the reduction of pieces of information to the form of digits in a binary code consisting of and ones” (Doyle, 2002b: 3). Digital technology is an important element in the dissemination of
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