On 11/30/09, Kevin Ouma <
kevin.ouma@gmail.com> wrote:
> Maling List Colleagues,
>
> Below is detailed response from the Digital Kenya Secretariat - very much
> appreciated. Does anyone know where I can buy a digital set top box in
> readiness for the test period or is it a business opportunity for me to fly
> to China.
>
> Mr Ambani do you know of any ?
>
> Kevin
>
> On Fri, Nov 27, 2009 at 4:30 PM, Ambani, Alfred <
Ambani@cck.go.ke> wrote:
>
>> Dear Kevin
>>
>> Thanks for your email copied to Digital Kenya secretariat
>>
>> We would like to inform you as follows;
>>
>> (i) The launch of the digital signal in Nairobi by KBC
>> earlier scheduled for October 2009 was delayed due to delays in customs
>> clearance of the digital transmission equipment. The signal is now
>> scheduled
>> to go on air officially just before the Jamhuri Holiday, but test
>> transmissions shall commence early December
>>
>> (ii) All the existing TV stations that are currently
>> broadcasting on analogue platform in Nairobi will be accommodated on the
>> digital platform so that more or less the same content is transmitted in
>> both analogue and digital format (simulcast). At the end of simulcast
>> period, the CCK shall instruct broadcasters to shut down analogue TV
>> transmitters and the future shall be all digital. The spare capacity on
>> the
>> multiplex will be taken by 2 or three new stations
>>
>> (iii) The supply of set top boxes will be left to the free
>> market since the STBs are generally considered as consumer electronics and
>> the CCK does not see any immediate need to intervene (but will monitor the
>> market and if need arises, will institute whatever regulatory measures it
>> thinks fit). In this regard, public notices were placed in the newspapers
>> to
>> inform interested persons on the opportunity to supply STB provided they
>> comply with the minimum specifications issued by the CCK in conjunction
>> with
>> Digital Transition Committee. A copy of the public notice and the said
>> specifications are available on the CCK website
www.cck.go.ke for
>> downloading by interested persons. We do not intent to control prices of
>> STB
>> but will leave to free market forces. In the near future, we may avail
>> info
>> on our website on names/contacts of the retailers, STB models in the
>> market
>> and perhaps their local prices for consumers to make reference to
>>
>> (iv) As indicated above, the specifications have been
>> provided and KEBS is also in the picture as a national standards body. CCK
>> will also carry out surveillance to determine the quality of STBs from
>> time
>> to time. In a nutshell, CCK will be the main focus in terms of standards
>> as
>> broadcasting is under its mandate
>>
>> (v) The issue of subsidy has been pursued with the Ministry
>> of Information & Communication making specific proposals to Finance
>> Ministry
>> to consider zero rating taxes on STBs and digital broadcast equipment. The
>> matter is still under consideration by the Finance Ministry and we are
>> positive certain incentives will eventually be dished out. We are still
>> awaiting official response on the matter
>>
>> (vi) We beg to disagree on mismanagement of information on
>> the roll-out. Some time back, the Commission in collaboration with the DTC
>> conducted initial awareness compaign on the migration under Digital Kenya
>> Banner, and the consumer education is expected to be rolled out on large
>> scale when the test signal is on the air. You may wish to note that
>> colossal
>> amount of money is necessary to run such campaigns. The digital
>> broadcasting
>> network will be rolled out in phases until the whole country is covered. A
>> lot of information will become available as the project progresses. Also,
>> KBC will in the near future run documentaries on the same so as to raise
>> awareness. Considering that the signal will be available initially only in
>> Nairobi, there is no need to begin massive awareness compaigns in other
>> areas until that time when the service is about to be deployed.
>>
>> I trust this clarifies your questions. Don’t hesitate to get back to us if
>> you need any further clarifications. Thank you
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* Kevin Ouma [mailto:
kevin.ouma@gmail.com]
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, November 24, 2009 10:08 PM
>> *To:* Skunkworks Forum
>> *Cc:* digitalkenya
>> *Subject:* Re: [Skunkworks] Digital Tv
>>
>>
>>
>> I have cced the digital Kenya secretariat on this communication
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 10:04 PM, Kevin Ouma <
kevin.ouma@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> I also heard on KBC radio that tests would begin any time between
>> November
>> 30th to 12th December.
>>
>> My questions are
>>
>> -For which stations will these tests be conducted
>> -Where can people buy the set top decoders knowing that these tests are a
>> week away
>> -Is there a central body to ensure standards of these gadgets
>> -is there subsidy on them
>>
>> I think the information flow on this rollout is being mismanged
>>
>> Kevin
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 6:39 PM, Mark Mwangi <
mwangy@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Does anyone know how the progress of digital tv rollout in the country
>> is goin on? The digital tv secretariat just ran a random ad in telly n
>> that was it . . . They dont even have a site . . . Thought all the tv
>> stations were to start transmitting in digital startin in october . .
>> . And thot they wuld jump on to the freeview bandwagon . . . Anyone
>> wit info includin cost of set-top boxes?
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>>
>> Mark Mwangi
>>
>>
http://mwangy.wordpress.com
>>
>> Skype : mark.mwangy
>> _______________________________________________
>> Skunkworks mailing list
>>
Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke
>>
http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks
>> ------------
>> Skunkworks Rules
>>
http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94
>> ------------
>> Other services @
http://my.co.ke
>> Other lists
>> -------------
>> Announce:
>>
http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce
>> Science:
http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science
>> kazi:
http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>