Kenya’s digital migration postponed

The plan to move from analogue TV to digital broadcasting has been postponed until 2013 by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK).

The plan to shift from Kenya's analogue TV signals to digital broadcasting has been postponed (image: World TV PC)

Francis Wangusi, Director General CCK, commented that digital transmission would not be possible for now, and not all Kenyans would be able to access set top boxes aimed at receiving the digital signals.

Wangusi explained, “At first our plan was to have one signal distributor and to be funded by government, but the funding unfortunately has not been forthcoming because of the various challenges we have been facing as a country.”

He added that this challenge has compelled them to seek a second signal distributor so as to support the efforts of the government signal distributor.

He further explained, “According to the second signal distributor we licensed, even by December we will not have covered the whole country, but we will have covered most parts. With the challenges we have, not everybody will be able to buy the set-top boxes within the period we are anticipating.”

Since most Kenyans will experience challenges in trying to access the set top boxes required to decode digital signals, Wangusi said that they were looking at various options to help tackle the problem. One of the options is phased switching, starting with Nairobi and progressing forward.

Michelle Tongo