While South Africans continue to contend with uncertainties relating to the
manufacturing and deployment of set-top-boxes (STBs), Kenya forges ahead with
the first instalment of a clear three-phase rollout plan to ensure the country’s digital
switchover is reached by the deadline on 17 June 2015.
Even with a spate of public reassurances from South African Minister of
Communications Faith Muthambi, who has stated that unresolved issues delaying
the switchover are being made a priority, recent allegations put forward by South
Africa’s main opposition party, the DA regarding the validity of a R4.3 billion tender
for five million STBs, have caused speculation as to whether South Africa is able to
effectively manage the transition in time. The DA has criticised the deal stating that
policy and financing regarding STBs are not yet approved, that the process is being
rushed and that the tender may have excluded certain companies from
participating.
Other contributing factors to South Africa’s delayed switchover include the
Communications Ministry experiencing a continuous changing of heads, with a
turnover of five ministers in the past five years. In addition, there is still an
unsettled debate as to whether STBs are to be encrypted or not.
In a media briefing held on 12 November 2014, Muthambi stated that she was:
“close to reaching a recommendation to Cabinet,’ on the issue of controlled access,
and that she had: “prioritised that this matter is presented before Cabinet prior to
year-end.’
Kenya has not been without a few DTT delays of its own. Most recently Kenya’s
Nation Media Group, Standard Group and Royal Media Services, which together won
a court case to continue their analogue transmission until the global switchover
deadline, came under fire when they aired an advert warning the public not to
purchase GOtv and StarTimes decoders where their free-to-air channels appear.
The advert states that the pay-TV providers are featuring their content without
permission. The commercial has been taken off air and the media houses were due
to appear in court on 2 February.
Previous concerns were also raised in Kenya surrounding STBs being too expensive
and not widely available. However, Kenyan government has settled these issues
and has since made a considerable effort to educate and inform the public by
organising national awareness campaigns and roadshows as well as easily
accessible information portals.
On 31 December Nairobi and its environs began the first phase of the switchover,
while the second phase began on 2 February in Mombasa, Malindi, Nyeri, Meru,
Kisumu, Webuye, Kakamega, Kisii, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyahururu, Narok and Rongai.
The third and final phase will take place in March and will cover Garissa,Kitui,
Lodwar, Lokichogio, Kapenguria, Kabarnet, Migori, Voi (Vuria), Mbwinzau/Kibwezi,
Namanga and any remaining regions.
As an additional resource for consumers, the Digital Kenya website hosts easy-to-
follow instructions and diagrams on the purchase and set-up of STBs and offers a
list of accredited suppliers and models with relevant contact details. In contrast,
although Muthambi has made mention of: “an extensive public awareness campaign
to inform South African citizens about DTT,’ there has been no confirmation as to
when this will commence or as to how government plans to ensure consumers are
educated about the purchase and function of an STB ahead of the looming deadline.
