NAIROBI: Kenya is taking an initiative to migrate from analogue to digital TV broadcasting. This will be fully implemented by the target set to achieve this goal by 2012. This is approximately 3 years ahead of the global target set at the ITU Regional Radio Conference that was held in Geneva. The Ministry of Information and Communications confirmed the government's commitment to this project by holding a meeting in Nairobi. The Permanent Secretary, Bitange Ndemo said that the government will not spare any effort in ensuring the success of this process including the adoption of cutting edge technology standards. He added that the Second Generation Digital Signal (DVB-T2) is currently on air in Nairobi. This is being operated by SIGNET and is operating 10 channels on a pilot basis. This migration will yield immense benefits such as better picture quality, clearer sound and higher spectrum efficiency. Local broadcasters were urged to raise content and increase their programming so as to populate the currently available channels on the platform and meet local content requirements. Francis Wangusi, acting Director General of CCK warned against the use of non-type approved set top boxes citing problems of interoperability within the established standards and on the available transmission platforms.
