By James Ratemo and Macharia Kamau
Television broadcasting has undergone a historic revolution.
From yesterday, TV viewers in Nairobi and its environs can receive digital signals in a trial phase, with the rest of the country expected to go digital by 2012, ahead of the 2015 global deadline.
Unveiling the phase one of the transition to Digital Television Broadcasting, President Kibaki directed Ministers of Finance and that of Information and Communication to work out mechanisms of reducing cost of the transition.
Analogue system
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"It is worth noting that on the African continent, only South Africa has fully embarked on the transition from the analogue system. This was partly driven by the fact that the FIFA World Cup is being held there next year," said Kibaki.
President Kibaki unveils a plaque during the launch of KBC digital broadcasting, at Broadcasting House, Wednesday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/ STANDARD] |
The migration to Digital Television Broadcasting will come at a cost, rendering older TV sets obsolete. It will also require owners of non-digital colour TV sets to acquire special converter boxes (set-top-boxes) to remain relevant.
To mitigate the costs of the transition, Kibaki directed the two ministries to provide tax relief for importation of this technology to make it affordable. The President also directed them to educate Kenyans on the Digital Television Broadcasting.
"It is important people are aware of the benefits of digital broadcasting, including superior image, sound clarity, interactive communication, and data broadcasting. Moreover, there will be the freeing up of more frequencies and increased opportunities for innovation and creativity," he said.
Broadcasting is poised for growth following the commencement of the process that will see television stations broadcast their signals in a digital format by 2012.
Many frequencies
"The sub sector will soon realise and surpass development levels that have been witnessed in the telecommunications segment of the ICT sector," said Phillip Okundi the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) chairman.
At the same time, Standard Group Deputy Chairman and Strategy Advisor Paul Melly welcomed the technological revolution saying it would promote competition and offer viewers a variety of content.
"Competition in the industry will be healthy and fierce. We will develop multiple content to satisfy our viewers," said Mr Melly.
He said KTN would have channels dedicated to different segments of its viewers to ensure maximum utilisation of the expanded capacity. He, however, foresaw far-reaching implications on broadcast investment so far done by private entities.
"Current transmission equipment will turn obsolete and will require financial adjustments," he said.
He called for independence of KBC as the signal distributor to ensure fair play in the broadcast industry.
"KBC should also be adequately funded," he said.
Digital transmission will allow use of many frequencies, currently a scarce resource. There are eighteen commercial free to air television stations and seventeen pay TV providers. Investors have, however, made more than 60 applications for television stations and 150 radio stations that CCK cannot license due to limitations in number of frequencies in the analogue system.
David Waweru the Managing Director Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) said investing in the sector would no longer need to be concerned about infrastructure deployment and maintenance.
The national broadcaster will play the role of maintaining the digital TV signal distribution platform through its recently established entity Signet.
"It will be cheap and convenient to set up and broadcasters will only need to worry about their core functions," he said.
Kibaki said the ICT sector would play part in conversion of the economy from being predominantly agricultural to one that is service driven.
"ICT contributes about 2.8 per cent of GDP. We envisage this to rise to 8 per cent by 2012," he said.
Broadcasters, however, say this would be an opportunity for employment creation.
Job opportunities
"There will be an increase in the opportunities available as we move towards an increase in local content as this will avail more jobs," said Rose Kimotho Chairperson Media Owners Association.
The digital broadcasting will cover Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Naivasha and Murang’a.
