Kenya is gearing up to commence testing of digital TV transmission in October, Information Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo said today. The tests will be conducted by state broadcaster Kenya Broadcasting Corporation which has been mandated to offer digital multiplexing services for all TV stations in the country, in readiness for a complete switchover in 2012 from analogue to digital transmission.
“We shall have a simulcast of both digital and analogue signals until 2012,” said the PS, explaining that owners of television sets would now be required to purchase a digital signal converter – commonly referred to as a set-top box – in order to receive the signals.
“All the TV sets in Kenya currently are not digital-enabled,” said Francis Kibe, the director of Frequency Spectrum Management at the Communications Commission of Kenya. Kenyan TV owners will therefore have to install a set-top box for every set owned.
Kenya intends to beat the international 2015 deadline by which all countries should migrate from analogue to digital transmission. Under the newly segmented model, licensed TV operators will only be required to concentrate on content generation and broadcasting, while another company will be given a separate licence to operate as a multiplexer – transmission and distribution of the signals.
Initially, the State broadcaster will be mandated to run a signal multiplexing company (MUX). KBC has already established a separate firm, Signet, to handle this business. “The MUX will be required to guarantee slots for all broadcasters and distribute their signal countrywide. It should also have the technical capacity to manage subscription requirements for pay-TV stations,” said Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) Director General Charles Njoroge. “CCK will still be the one assigning channels to individual stations.”
The Information Ministry has written to Treasury seeking incentives for set-top boxes which will have to be imported and sold to consumers. “We want to make them affordable and easily available to all users in the country,” said the CCK boss. The business community is now being urged to source and import set-top boxes.
(Source: capitalfm.co.ke)
on Sep 24th, 2009 at 16:51
Hi am a sattelite technician who does both selling as well as installatfion. I wa nted to know if there is a special set top box used in DTV or can this FTA digital decorders we use recently used in transmiting DTV signal. If not what are the exact specs of the set top box. can we technician get this information please.
Lastly ca n we be offered jobs with either cck or kbc since there gona be alot of jobs. waiting for your responce. thanks.
on Oct 5th, 2009 at 23:10
I write about UK digital switchover and i really hope as a country we can be of assistance to nations like Kenya, either by passing on what we are learning in the 4 year process or in a more practical way with actual equipment.
on Oct 7th, 2009 at 17:30
grant Good news broadcasting a chance to transmit information digitally in kenya and i believe there will be a change in both economy and put stress in religion.
THANKS
on Dec 11th, 2009 at 11:30
Great achievements to the techonology world for the digital introduction in our lovely kenya ,my main request is that i am a communication university student willing to get an internship programme with you,i believe it will be of great honour to my career.
Thank you.
on Sep 4th, 2010 at 11:53
How many stations can you receive in Kenya if You are using a digital set-top box? how do you set the aerial to have the best reception? Where should the aerial face? Where r the digital transmitters?