MultiChoice finally shuttering DStv Mobile in South Africa at the end of October as transmitters for DVB-H are turned off.

MultiChoice is finally shuttering its obsolete DStv Mobile service in South Africa at the end of October similar to what it has been doing in Kenya and other African countries recently.

MultiChoice is dumping its DStv DVB-H mobile pay-TV service with the outdated and obsolete DStv Walka and DStv Drifta going dodo.

The DVB-H service - the "H" standing for handset - is getting shut down on 31 October 2018, 11 years after DStv Mobile was launched in 2007 in South Africa.

MultiChoice says when it launched DStv Mobile the technology was new but "over the last few years technology has evolved as broadband access continues to grow. It’s not feasible to continue to maintain a separate land-based, dedicated network for this service alone, when an even better service can be offered to our customers on DStv Now through the internet and WiFi".

MultiChoice already started shutting down transmitters so existing DStv Mobile subscribers who have been paying R49 per month for the service are not guaranteed to still get it until the end of the month with MultiChoice offering them R500 Takealot coupons.

DStv Mobile subscribers are encouraged to dump their obsolete Drifta and Walka devices at MultiChoice branches in Randburg, Durban and Cape Town or at DStv agencies where there are recycling bins.

BREAKING. M-Net Series channel added to DStv Mobile's DVB-H bouquet; launches new DStv Mobile Drifta USB device.

Shhh. Don't tell. DStv Mobile launched a nifty upgrade today but nobody knows - a very cool DStv Mobile Drifta USB that functions as a portable TV decoder allowing DStv subscribers to watch DVB-H broadcast mobile television on computers and laptops. The M-Net Series (DStv 110) was also added to the available DStv Mobile bouquet to further enhance the service.

ALSO READ: All about DStv's new Drifta decoder when it launched in November 2010.

Like the original and quite revolutionary Drifta device launched by MultiChoice in November 2010 the Drifta Mobile Drifta USA is easy to install and activate and connects directly to a personal computer or laptop through a USB port and doesn't need Wi-Fi.

''The same great channels are available,''says Mark Rayner, general manager: DStv Mobile South Africa - now with M-Net Series added.

''Consumer feedback has shown us that M-Net Series is a highly desired channel for mobile consumption and we're glad that we were able to secure it for our mobile viewers,'' says Aletta Alberts, general manager of DStv content.

''The Drifta USB has been launched to address the needs of customers who primarily want to use their PCs and laptops for viewing,'' says Mark Rainer. ''Based on the positive response we received from the Drifta, we wanted to come up with something more affordable and exclusive to devices with USB ports.''

The new DStv Mobile Drifta USB has a recommeded retail price of R399 and the monthly subscription cost is R36. The service is available for free to DStv Premium subscribers. The DStv Mobile Drifta USB has a signal strength indicator and an antenna that can be extended and positioned vertically to improve reception where necessary. There is also a smartcard embedded inside the device, so that no additional card has to be inserted – it automatically connects to the laptop or PC it is plugged into.