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

Sun Jul 24 19:49:29 EAT 2011

Listers,
Please step out of the box and understand this issue.  There are about 30
companies with license to distribute Internet Protocol (IP) signinal.  Of
these just a handful are controlled by Kenyans.  The licenses issued to
Signet and PANG (Chinese)to distribute Broadcasting signal is actually the
same given to other IP signal distributors.  In essence any telco would
have easily distributed the signal.  This is because broadcast and
telecommunications have converged.

One would ask why we did not just give the existing IP signal distributors
to roll out digital broadcast.  Indeed we considered this and we knew
broadcasters would resist the power that telcos would wield (read Banks). 
We then decided to create a special Broadcast IP signal license knowing
very well that the development of Web TV is advancing fast.  Indeed the
technologies like DVBT, ISDBT etc would be eliminated once web tv takes
over in another 5 years.  This would mean that even CCK will not issue
such IP licenses but only content license.

We are simply in a development stage and check my words.  There is no
Broadcast Signal licensee (if their intention is to only distribute
broadcast signal) who will recover the Ksh. 4 billion investment before
the broadcast technology shifts to web broadcasting.  We are already into
Youtube and the like. Sometines follow ITU discussions, it is just a
matter of time before all of us become broadcasters from our websites. 
All research is now focused on moving from Standard Definition to High
Defition to 3D on the web.  Just check TV manufacturers to understand the
direction we are going.  Already there is Internet TV with 1,500 free to
air channels from Samsung.  The smart TV which incorpotates today and
tomorrow video requirements.

We have been boxed into a small corner with lies.  Indeed I have called my
counterparts in Rwanda and Uganda and there is nothing with cancellation
of licenses as reported.  You can call and check.  Prior to advertizing
the tender, the Migration Committee had offered shares in Signet or better
the license to all broadcasters owing to their investments in the sector
that will go to waste.  Instead they started fighting among themselves and
agreed to a competitive bid but they did not report this.

Under affirmative action, we shall proceed to issue the third license to
the compainants on condition they incorporate others who already have
infrastructure but only time will tell.  (Mtoto akililia wembe, mpatie).
It is not a wise decision for them if their intent is to protect our
sovreinity through local entrepreneurship.  The war in future will be in
content and so Intellectual Property is where we must focus our energies. 
The last time I checked Ngurario in the net, it was a product of Intel and
Microsoft.  I do not know what is more important, our heritage or channels
to which we distribute our creations.

We shall benefit from this interaction if we think mostly out of the box
and understand what is important to our future.  The Government is
devolving power to the citizens as evidenced with the launch of open
government.  But if the citizens continue with the old politically correct
statements that have no evidence then we have a problem.  These are some
of the people who will be told of a revolution that happened during their
time but were not able to see it because they were blinded with the past.

Regards

Ndemo.

> Allow me to add some comments on this thread. :-)
>
> Why is the ownership of the core signal distribution facilities of
> national
> importance ? I agree with Hon Eng Rege's assesment of potential sabotage
> and
> this alone is serious enough. Today we can openly discuss issues of such
> importance, who knows what will be the situation in another 20 years. All
> global governments have been known to back track or fast track. In 20
> years
> time, we will have changed govt, policies to match back-tracking or
> fast-tracking at least 5 different times but two local companies will
> still
> be in existence i.e NMG/Royal Media and operating the national signal
> distribution without any effects whatsoever. We are also players in the
> global world and there is also the problem of global policies that affects
> us. If tomorrow China came under any sanctions internationally for
> whatever
> reason and that all developing nations have to follow the lead on showing
> how they support these sanctions, will the govt then shutdown the licensed
> facilities? Case of this is now Libya, which unfortunately developing
> countries are also being sucked into and told to choose sides between
> blocking assets and the rest . How would it work then? Anyone know what is
> happening to Laico Regency and Oil-Libya in Kenya, please share some
> details.
>
> The signal distribution network and facilities are as important as the
> signals of DOD. Will we also pass these signals and controls to external
> parties? I hope not. Nothing against China, as an investor it will be
> unfortunately get caught up with issues that arise from developing
> countries
> fast tracking shortcuts versus almost zero internal initiatives on core
> ownership development. In this case, I'd have to support the local media
> groups that can finance, operate and rollout ownership of facilities
> versus
> the argument that market competion will drive a diverse solutions. It
> seems
> that there aren't that many media stations which would be able to use more
> facilties even if they were available.
>
> My thoughts and corrections welcome.
>
> Thank you.
>
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