Kenya: Safaricom set to move into digital broadcasting

Kenyan operator Safaricom has applied for a digital television broadcasting licence. According to the company, this will allow it to take advantage of the technological convergence that comes with TV migration. Safaracom revealed that this will allow it to expand its presence in the wireless internet market.

According to the operator, it has already applied for the licence, complete with approval for a set-top box. CEO Bob Collymore stated that Safaricom is mainly interested in using the proposed set-top boxes to deliver internet to households that own a TV set.

Safaricom plans to sell the universal set-top box in the local market, meaning buyers will also have access to all free-to-air TV channels.

Francis Wangusi, the director general of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), said Safaricom is the latest firm that has sought type approval for a set-top box. It has also applied for a digital broadcasting licence, which CA has yet to approve.

Staff Writer