Kenya’s switch-over to digital broadcasting is planned to start on September 15 this year, following a series of stuttering starts.
A process to switch off analogue signals in the country late last year was stalled when lobby group Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) submitted a last-minute court bid to stop the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) from going ahead with the action.
COFEK argued that Kenyan consumers were not ready for the switch-off because of the high cost of set top boxes, which enable analogue TV sets to receive digital signals. Prices of the devices are said to sell at Sh 3,500.
But COFEK and CCK have reached an agreement that the set-top box prices are to be lowered.
The CCK has said it also plans to come up with a strategy to ensure a cost-effective consumer information, education and communication on all matters related to digital migration.
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“We agreed that mechanisms to lower the cost of set top boxes (STB’s) will be explored further in order to bring the price comes down significantly,” said Stephen Mutoro, Cofek secretary-general.
“The number of licensed vendors of the STB’s should also be increased from the current 22 to highest possible. Import and VAT waivers as well as subsidies should also be worked out to the extent possible. The pricing be left to market forces of supply and demand,” Mutoro added.
Nairobi is to be the first city in the country where analogue signals are planned to be switched off.
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