[kictanet] much ado about migration but small steps on the ground...

[bitange at jambo.co.ke]

David,
You raise great questions that the Digital Transition Committee (DTC)
needs to resolve quickly.  However, it also critical that more
entrepreneurs take advantage of the emerging opportunities in order to
deal a blow on the premium charged when supply is constrained. It used to
be that the Government could buy for consumers but it always distorted the
market for reasons we all know.  This time we left it to the market
forces.  Ordinarirly the prices should drop as supply increases but in
this case there is a wait and see situation.

DTC also must at this time give information to the public constantly (I
shall ensure that this happens).  Free to air channels must be free in all
platforms.  Here it means that if you get a STB you can hook it and view
all Free to air channels.  What most people are doing is buy STBs from
Multiplex Operators (Signet and Pan Africa) with various payment plans
that often lead to a complete shut down if the STB is has not been fully
paid for.  It is important that consumer asks questions with respect to
the full cost of the STB and what plan they are on as well as knowing
whether they can continue to watch Free to Air even if they do not
subscribe.

The signals are up in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.  We are going through
teething problems that we must resolve quickly.  At this moment I can only
thank all of you for raising these questions.  I will seek to have someone
to comprehensively respond to all queries.

Regards


Ndemo.





> members,
> there is a healthy discussion thriving here and on other ICT
> fora/platforms about the digital migration. yet quite frankly, this
> enthusiasm is not matched by concrete steps on the ground. for example,
> can anyone tell me where to get that decoder/top box in the whole of
> nairobi for receiving the signet (kbc signal where all local broadcasters
> seem to have moved? APPARENTLY there is no supply in town, as at my last
> check this past weekend (despite the government having waived duty on the
> gadgets in this year's budget). Also, it seems like the service is being
> charged a monthly fee - for those who want to subscribe to PANG. was that
> the intention of the govt? so then what happens to the whole notion of
> competition and the expected quality service if kbc is the sole provider
> of the signal? and do kenyans understand that the licence to pang was not
> free to air but pay to view?
>
> two, there seems to be confusion about the type of decoder to acquire if,
> as i gather, the types could be different for subscribers to PANG, SIGNET
> or the one that the media owners consortium will be gifted with. Is it T1
> or T2 decoder?
>
> three, the signal distributors don't have enough capacity yet - the signal
> only being available so far in nairobi and environs and (soon) Mombasa.
>
> which leads me to wonder whether the intense promotion/adverstising
> campaign by cck is not going to waste. shouldn't the switch be instant and
> nationwide?
>
> just wondering.
> david makali
>
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