[kictanet] Digital TV signal Distribution row- at Kenya IGF

Fri Jul 22 15:48:14 EAT 2011

A signal distribution market involves building of multiplexing platforms and signal transmission infrastructure for the purpose of distributing multimedia signals (video, audio and data). in terms of digital migration, SD provider is a key player in the digital migration process. under a unified licensing framework at the CCK, this is an infrastructure market segment capable of providing services beyound broadcasting. it is important to remember that broadcasting subsector holds a host of other market segments rather than what we usually know as free to air or if you may wish call it "free through advertisement" (FTA). this particular market segment is just a diminishing market in the wake of new media platforms thanks to the rapid evolvement of ICT technologies. there are many emerging technologies arising from this market supporting tripple play that are are blurring the boundary between broadcasting and telecommunications and this may explain why players in the SD market should understand the dynamics surrounding the provision of  services under this market segment.

suffice to say, there are only about 3.5M TV sets in the country from the last censors report against an investment of close to Ksh.4Billion for each signal distribution network for the SD licences that are to be given in this market segment. Currently, SIGNET is the only licensed public signal distributor which the Government is funding inorder to roll-out throughout the country and to fulfill its public service obligations. the Licences that  were advertised were for commercial  SD and therefore are only necessary to give Kenyans alternatives and to spur the spin-offs of digital migration and was done inline with public procurement rules and regulations, the ICT sector policy, Information and Communications Act cap 411A and all players were accorded equal opportunity. there are enough safety nets in place ranging from competition to contructural obligations in the licence to offered in the unfortunate but rare circumstances should an investor who has poured a cool Ksh. 4Billion wishes to switch off his network simply because of an election. why therefore a hulabaloo about this transparent process? if you join a race and develop a muscle pull along the way, you cannot be carried on the stretcher to a finishing line and be declared a winner simply because the race is being held in your country. it is also important for us to call on our media houses to practice the principle of fair doctrine which demands that when reporting adversely against an entity then that entity is given an equal measure to respond inorder to enable listners/readers make fairand informed judgement  about the story.  

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From: kictanet-bounces+wangusi=cck.go.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke on behalf of Edith Adera
Sent: Fri 7/22/2011 1:07 PM
To: Wangusi, Francis
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital TV signal Distribution row- at Kenya IGF

Why such strong defense for the Chinese? Why not have a national policy that signal distribution should be done by locals only? I'm a greenhorn in the area of signal distribution - can someone with expertise and experience in this area tell us the pros and cons? We need more insights.

Edith

From: kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Walubengo J
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 12:44 PM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital TV signal Distribution row- at Kenya IGF

Just got two interesting alternative views on the above at the ongoing Kenya IGF.

1.  the Chair of the Parliamentary Group, Eng. Rege feels that giving out the National Digital Signal Distribution network to a foreigner exposes the nation to potential sabotage.  What would happen if the Chinese decided to switch of the distribution when "the 2012 votes are being counted?" 

2. the PS, Dr. Ndemo feels that that may really not arise for two reasons,(1) that there will be competition in that market, we shall have multiple national signal distributors and (2) Most of this signal distribution platforms will be over the Internet Cloud and hence the idea of switching off the channel may not be that simple (though it did happen in Egypt ;-)

the debate continues...
walu.

--- On Fri, 7/22/11, Wamuyu Gatheru <wamuyu at soko-id.co.ke> wrote:

From: Wamuyu Gatheru <wamuyu at soko-id.co.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital TV signal Distribution row
To: jwalu at yahoo.com
Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Date: Friday, July 22, 2011, 10:31 AM

I think arguing only the merits of the bids in the context of telcoms (a strategic/security issue) will only provide half the answers. The country is in political transition and headed into another election where the jury on peace is still out. In the last few weeks, I have noticed political bias starting to appear in TV coverage depending on the political affiliations of the owners. The media may forget itself again in the heat of the election competition and I would not be suprised if someone in govt. wants the power to switch stations off - the Chinese can do this but local media houses would find this unacceptable.

Hopefully, if media demonstrate maturity next year, govt. may cease to be concerned about who controls the signals.

Its not a nice picture for media freedoms or harnessing local capacity for that matter. But there may hard realities the govt. may need to be ready to deal with.

On the other hand, I may be entirely wrong and it may well be that the Chinese bribe was the biggest!..(another of our hard realities)

Wamuyu

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