[kictanet] CAN USF BE USED TO SUBSIDIZE FTA TRANSMISSION

[Barrack Otieno]

Interesting but complex answer, engineer is it possible to expound on your
answer in  way Wanjiku can understand. I am keen to know your take in so
far as the right for citizens to access information is concerned.

Regards
On Jun 9, 2015 5:17 PM, "Eng. Wainaina Mungai via kictanet" <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> The National Broadband Strategy proposes subsidies be applied towards
> increasing access to Set Top Boxes (Decoders) etc - not sure about
> transmission networks. From where I stand, the higher priority access
> challenge is in making decoders readily available to all. CAPEX for
> transmission has been eliminated for all CSP by having BSDs handle that.
> The operating (or maintenance) costs are not high enough to justify
> intervention from the USF.
>
> Refer to the NBS2013 / Broadband4Kenya which was launched by the CA.
>
>
> On Tuesday, June 9, 2015, James Mbugua via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
> > Listers,
> > Recently, Multichoice has indicated that it may need FTA users of its
> GOTV service to pay a small annual maintenance fee to cover the cost of
> transmission.
> > This issue has repeatedly raised hackles because, licensed pay-TV
> providers like GOTV and Startimes are also required by law to carry FTA
> channels, the "Must-carry" rule.
> > It is not clear who is supposed to cater for the cost of this
> transmission. Typically, FTA analogue transmission costs were recouped
> through advertising.
> > So it would seem that there is an issue that needs resolving here
> particularly when you consider that if there is any after service required,
> like a problem with the set top boxes, be it GOTV, Startimes, Safaricom etc
> you return them for service to the respective platform owner.
> > Which raises the question, given that we have a Universal Service Fund
> to which Telcos/Broadcaster/Network operators contribute to which is meant
> to facilitate access to Information and Communication Technology to all,
> why can't this Fund be used to subsidize access to these FTA channels to
> those who wish to have them?
> > The CA should consider shielding viewers who want to have FTA channels
> from other incidental costs by reimbursing platform owners for the cost
> implications of the "Must-carry" rule.
> > My two cents.
> > JG
> > <
> https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/pBXDxAdiFPLAdKYnYbRqQjbMfLVczPMYVedgvWYpReVqZclgkOkob0lEack_KS2VqAmEWeYAP2pRVT6SCpKe5VhElmlVzJlHRp6MbH5cGl_X6rJ5mm8iv8qg9kqUYZWGXnVmk63R0oPrrdUraEC5qobLXYON7Jj2fqhIKWHwEce87YiKZljeuZHaviKOThSST1fpGwd9puH034I9rnWiPIVgpz1eQtcNUmLCFikAT8N7ktMOU8Eavy8mKffoVA2an0PrmA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://t.signauxsix.com/e1t/o/5/f18dQhb0S7ks8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9gXrN7sKj6v5df9RN64kxbFRYHc-N8rBqW6QFLCHW5wfQ8G1k1H6H0?si=5495672839077888&pi=bf84035c-c5a5-4d5a-aca3-40ee41e31942
> >
>
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