All systems set for first digital television signal

By James Ratemo

Kenya’s shift from analogue to digital television is set commence with the first transmission expected by the end of this month.

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has set the ball rolling by installing digital transmitters ahead of the testing period next month.

Launching the Digital Kenya campaign in Nairobi yesterday, Information PS Bitange Ndemo said the switch would allow more broadcasters to enter the market.

"Digital broadcasting will not only improve the quality of television signals but also create room for more broadcasters; allowing more content to be transmitted," said Mr Ndemo.

With digital technology one frequency, which currently relays one channel, will carry eight channels.

Eventually, broadcasters will no longer transmit their own content because this role would be taken up by a signal distributor.

Hence, the broadcasters’ main concern shall be generating content. This means content developers shall have immense opportunity to sell.

South Africa has already switched over and Kenya would be second in Africa to follow suit.

Kenya intends to stop analogue transmission by 2012 ahead of the June 17, 2015 deadline set by International Telecommunication Union for Africa, Europe, Asia, and Iran.

In the meantime, broadcasters will transmit both digital and analogue signals.

To receive digital signals, TV sets owners must buy set-top boxes to make their sets relevant in the digital arena. A more expensive option would be to buy digital sets, which have inbuilt digital turners.

Set top boxes are gadgets designed to convert digital signals to analog format. Some flat screen TVs that are a hit in the market must be installed with a set-top boxes.

Consumers are warned to be cautious when buying digital sets, lest unscrupulous dealers dupe them.

To avoid conflict of interest, KBC has formed a subsidiary company, Signet, to run multiplexing (distributing signals) services.

In an interview with The Standard, Mr Francis Wangusi, Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) Director, Special Programmes and Broadcasting, said plans are underway to have Signet partner with private broadcasters for faster rollout.

He said the cheapest path for most Kenyan consumers now would be to buy the set-top boxes.

 

 

Read all about: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation KBC International Telecommunication Union Communication Commission of Kenya CCK

 

 

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