DVB-T2 set top boxes in Kenya, where to buy them and their cost
Kenya has already embarked on importation of millions of DVB- T2 set top boxes into the country after the government scraped taxes off the gadget in this year’s budget statement read to parliament by finance minister Robinson Githae.
Kenya has set a deadline of December this year to fully make the switch to digital broadcasting and enjoy the benefits of the new technology. The over four million households in the country with analog TV sets will have no choice but to purchase the devices in order to continue enjoying free to air television.
“The entire world is targeting year 2015 as the deadline to migrate from analogue to digital television signals. To make the set top boxes, which form an integral part of this migration, available to Kenyans at an affordable price I propose to remove duty on the importation of these gadgets,” said Githae.
The DVB- T2 set top box. Picture courtesy of hd-isdb-t.com
Local retailers have already started selling the CCK- Recommended DVB- T2 set top boxes although the digital signal it connects to is still only available in Nairobi and its environs.
According to an exclusive statement from one of the licensed distributors, Professional Digital Systems Ltd, single units of the decoders are retailing at KSh.9, 200.
“I am glad to inform you that the set top boxes are now available at our offices along Ngong Road. For single unit purchase we are retailing at KSh.9, 200,” read the statement from PDSL. (More on the latest prices of DVB- T2 set top boxes)
Meanwhile, the digital migration seems to be gathering momentum after the Digital Television Committee set out on an aggressive campaign to advertise the migration in the media. According to the committee, the migration is supposed to offer higher spectrum efficiency, better picture quality and clearer sound.
The digital signal will ensure that more channels enter the fray of television broadcasting leading to increased opportunities for investors to enter the market. Consumers on their part will enjoy increased diversity in programming, interactivity of live television and access to electronic programme guides.
DVB-T2 is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial, a system which transmits compressed digital audio, video and other data like text and graphics to ensure that consumers enjoy High Definition Television that is interactive.
DVB- T2 upgraded from DVB-T standard in 2010, and the government through CCK adopted it in favor of its predecessor for its advanced modulation scheme. Therefore consumers in Kenya are advised to confirm the model of the decoders they purchase to ensure they are the certified kind in order to benefit from the digital experience.
In Kenya, pay- TV services have also begun using the signal, led by Multichoice Africa’s GOTV which adopted it for the local market on 13 September 2011.
“Using the latest DVB-T2 technology, this brand new digital service is dedicated to offering television lovers affordable family entertainment; Featuring 20 great TV channels,” says GOTV.
For Ksh.5, 500, viewers can purchase the service which is inclusive of a decoder and an offer of the first three months worth of free GOTV. Monthly subscription afterwards is Ksh.720.
Other certified retailers of the DVB- T2 set top boxes in Kenya include Microville Solutions Ltd and StarTimes Media (Kenya) Co. Ltd.
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Kenya has already embarked on importation of millions of DVB- T2 set top boxes into the country after the government scraped taxes off the gadget in this year’s budget statement read to parliament by finance minister Robinson Githae.
Kenya has set a deadline of December this year to fully make the switch to digital broadcasting and enjoy the benefits of the new technology. The over four million households in the country with analog TV sets will have no choice but to purchase the devices in order to continue enjoying free to air television.
“The entire world is targeting year 2015 as the deadline to migrate from analogue to digital television signals. To make the set top boxes, which form an integral part of this migration, available to Kenyans at an affordable price, I propose to remove duty on the importation of these gadgets,” said Githae.
Local retailers have already started selling the CCK- Recommended DVB- T2 set top boxes although the digital signal it connects to is still only available in Nairobi and its environs. According to one of the licensed distributors, Professional Digital Systems Ltd, single units of the decoders are retailing at KSh.9, 200.
“I am glad to inform you that the set top boxes are now available at our offices along Ngong Road. For single unit purchase we are retailing at KSh.9, 200,” reads a statement from PDSL.
Meanwhile, the digital migration seems to be gathering momentum after the Digital Television Committee set out on an aggressive campaign to advertise the migration in the media. According to the committee, the migration is supposed to offer higher spectrum efficiency, better picture quality and clearer sound.
The digital signal will ensure that more channels enter the fray of television broadcasting leading to increased opportunities for investors to enter the market. Consumers on their part will enjoy increased diversity in programming, interactivity of live television and access to electronic programme guides.
DVB-T2 is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial, a system which transmits compressed digital audio, video and other data like text and graphics to ensure that consumers enjoy High Definition Television that is interactive.
DVB- T2 upgraded from DVB-T standard in 2010, and the government through CCK adopted it in favor of its predecessor for its advanced modulation scheme. Therefore consumers in Kenya are advised to confirm the model of the decoders they purchase to ensure they are the certified kind in order to benefit from the digital experience.
In Kenya, pay- TV services have also begun using the signal, led by Multichoice Africa’s GOTV which adopted it for the local market on 13 September 2011.
“Using the latest DVB-T2 technology, this brand new digital service is dedicated to offering television lovers affordable family entertainment; Featuring 20 great TV channels,” says GOTV.
For Ksh.5, 500, viewers can purchase the service which is inclusive of a decoder and an offer of the first three months worth of free GOTV. Monthly subscription afterwards is Ksh.720.
Other certified retailers of the DVB- T2 set top boxes in Kenya include Microville Solutions Ltd and StarTimes Media (Kenya) Co. Ltd.
