History was made today after Kenya became the second country in Africa to switch from analogue to digital broadcasting. Kenya joins south Africa which migrated to digital transmission in November 2008 in readiness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.The digital television transition (also called the digital switchover (DSO) or analogue switchoff (ASO), sometimes analogue sunset) is the process in which analogue television broadcasting is converted to and replaced by digital television. This primarily involves both TV stations and over-the-air viewers; however it also involves content providers like TV networks and cable TV conversion to digital cable. Analogue broadcasting takes up a lot of space in the frequency spectrum. Converting to digital broadcasting will make allowance for more channels.

President Mwai Kibaki, who was the chief guest at the launch, said the digital switchover is an important event as it will take the country to the next level of development.

“Today we are launching the first phase of digital migration covering Nairobi and its environs. This will result in the freeing up of more frequencies as currently there are 60 pending applications for TV stations and another 150 for FM stations. With the switch to digital broadcasting, it will now be possible to award additional licences as more players come on board”, President Kibaki said.While acknowledging the concerns which have been raised over the high cost of set-top boxes, President Kibaki directed the Finance ministry to offer tax rebates to importers of the gadgets to make them affordable to all consumers. At the same time, he directed the Ministry of information and Communications to launch a campaign to educate the ciutizens on the implications of digital migration.

“As we expect to have more channels dedicated to youth, education, sports, scientific and cultural programmes, I direct the Ministry of Information and Communications to educate Kenyans on digital migration and champion the creation of local programmes that will promote culture of the people of Kenya. We must see ICT as a key pillar in the fight against poverty”.

He said the Government is committed to giving the private sector the necessary support to explore the benefits of digital technology. The president, however, cautioned the media players to act responsibly as the industry expands.

Information and Communications permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo will make Kenya a real technology hub and result in employment creation, especially following the landing of the fibre optic cables. He thanked the Ministries of Finance, Information and Communications, as well as the Communications commission of Kenya (CCK), the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), the Digital Committee and the Chinese-based Star Technologies which provided the platform on which the technology has been launched. The entire rollout is expected to cost Ksh 4billion ($53million)

KBC Managing Director David Waweru praised digital broadcasting as the cheapest mode for new broadcasters. He said the signal, which will be solely supplied by KBC, will be clearer in terms of quality and sound.

“This is the moment we have been waiting for. It is the biggest technological shift since the advent of Colour TV”, said Waweru. However, the stage could be set for confrontation following the monopoly of signal distribution by the heavily indebted state broadcaster.

At least 40 TV channels will be needed in order to run the platform cost-effectively. Waweru challenged young investors to come up withvalue added services.

The launch was also attended by ministers Uhuru Kenyatta (Finance), Wycliffe Oparanya (Planning, National Development and Vision 2030), William Ruto (Agriculture), assistant minister George Khaniri (Information and Communications), CCK chairman Eng Philip Okundi and media owners.

The switch to digital broadcasting follows the Regional Radiocommunications Conference 2006 (RRC-06)  held in Geneva, Switzerland, in mid 2006 under the aegis of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The Conference, among other things, agreed on June 2015 as the cutover date for the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting.  Kenya participated in RRC-06 and has embarked on preparation to ensure that the country abides by the resolutions arrived at the conference.  The country set its own cutover date at 2012.