Resposne from The Digital TV secretariat on availability of the set top boxes. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ambani, Alfred <Ambani@cck.go.ke> Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 5:23 PM Subject: RE: [Skunkworks] Digital Tv To: Kevin Ouma <kevin.ouma@gmail.com> Not Yet bw Kevin. When we have that information, we will make it public. Meanwhile, the DTC is also looking into the issue to ensure the set top boxes are available on the local market by the time the signal is launched *From:* Kevin Ouma [mailto:kevin.ouma@gmail.com] *Sent:* Monday, November 30, 2009 8:03 AM *To:* Skunkworks forum *Cc:* Wangusi, Francis; Kandagor, Isabelle; Ambani, Alfred *Subject:* Re: [Skunkworks] Digital Tv 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