The Communication Authority in Kenya is in the process of licensing two Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) companies in Kenya ushering a new digital broadcasting age in the country.
During the licensing of eight new digital broadcasters last week, the CA revealed that they are working to license two IPTV channels, three PayTV channels and four Cable TV channels.
Safaricom, which launched its TV product in May, is one of the recipients of an IPTV license.
According to a Kenya Gazette notice in July, the company was awarded four TV broadcast licenses: commercial free-to-air television license, an internet protocol television license, a terrestrial subscription broadcasting service and a subscription management license.
Safaricom launched its broadcast product in May this year, known as the BigBox which also let users connect to the internet with high speed 4G internet for the home. With this, the company is well on its way to launch Kenya's first video-on-demand service.
During the launch, Safaricom said, "We have applied to the CA for a broadcasting licence that will enable us to develop and host more content. We look forward to receiving the licence to allow us to provide more products and services for our customers in the segment."
Cable Television Network is the only company that has been granted a cable license according to the Kenya Gazette.
The new digital broadcasters are among the first which were issued in the aftermath of the digital migration.
The authority also reported that there are 72 pending applications for commercial free-to-air, digital broadcasting, signalling the impending competition in the sector.
Francis Wangusi, director general of the CA, urged the broadcasters to advocate the local content rule. "The Authority consequently requires all the Commercial FTA TV licensees to uphold the local content quotas now standing at 40% for the fiscal year 2015/2016," he said.
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