The Digital Migration Facts You Need To Know

There has been a lot of confusion due to the misinformation around digital migration in Kenya. Here are some of the key facts you need to know.

Who is a Broadcast Signal Distributor (BSD)?

A Broadcast Signal Distributor (BSD) is an entity that is authorized to set up infrastructure for the distribution of broadcast content. In digital television transmission, each broadcasting frequency can be used to broadcast several programme channels, hence allowing broadcast content from several broadcasters to be aggregated and broadcasted using fewer transmitters.

This therefore ensures that broadcasters concentrate on content development while the signal distributors roll-out transmission and distribution infrastructure throughout the country and ensure the broadcaster’s content is transmitted to the broadcasters target areas. In this case, Digital TV frequencies are assigned to the Broadcast Signal Distributor (BSD) and not individual broadcasters as was the case in analogue broadcasting.

The Broadcast Signal Distributor is bound by licence conditions to provide open access to the digital platform for all interested licensed broadcasters on a fair, non-discriminatory basis.

Chronology of the Licensing of Broadcast Signal Distributors.

2007: The Government of Kenya adopts the recommendations of the Digital Migration Taskforce (DMT) which includes among others, the Licensing of a subsidiary of KBC as the only signal distributor during the simulcast period and National early analogue switch-off deadline of 2012.

February 2008: KBC granted a permit by MoICT to establish a subsidiary company for signal distribution (Signet Ltd).

2009: CCK licenses Signet Ltd as the first Broadcast Signal Distributor.

2011: DTC recommends the licensing of two BSDs through a competitive procurement process to be undertaken by CCK.

February 2011: CCK floats a tender inviting Expression of Interest from local and international firms for the two BSD licences. A total of nine firms express interest, out of which six firms are pre-qualified for the tendering stage.

April 2011: CCK invites the qualified firms to tender for the BSD licence.

May 2011: Tender closes with four (4) firms having responded i.e National Signal Networks – (Consortium of Nation Media Group Ltd & Royal Media Services Ltd); Pan-Africa Network Group (Kenya) Co. Ltd, African Link Agencies Ltd, Mayfox Company Ltd.

Ms. Globecast Africa and Signal Distributors Ltd (Consortium of local broadcasters) fail to submit bids even though they had been prequalified.

2011: CCK evaluates received bids in accordance with the tender requirement stages namely: mandatory, technical and financial evaluation.

On mandatory evaluation, one of the four (4) bidders i.e M/s National Signal Networks, fails to meet the criteria on the bid security validity period, having submitted a bid security with a validity period of 53 days instead of 120 days, hence National Signal Networks is disqualified.

The three remaining firms; Pan- Africa Network Group (Kenya) Co. Ltd, African Link Agencies Ltd, and Mayfox Company Ltd are subjected to the Technical Evaluation Stage. Only one bidder, M/S Pan- Africa Network Group (Kenya) Co. Ltd, qualifies to proceed to the Financial Evaluation stage.

CCK officially communicates to the bidders informing them of the outcome of the technical stage as well as the date and time of the opening of financial bid of the entity that qualified for financial evaluation.

M/s National Signal Networks (NSN), writes a letter of objection to CCK demanding the exercise be stopped on the basis of several grounds. CCK responded to the objection on 21^st June 2011, indicating that the decision to disqualify NSN was arrived at fairly and in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the tender.

June 2011: CCK approves the award of a license to M/S Pan- Africa Network Group (Kenya) Co. Ltd to roll out a national broadcasting signal distribution network in Kenya, at an initial license fee of USD Four Hundred Fifty Thousand (USD 450,000).

Do you require a specific Set Top Box (STB) to receive Free To Air (FTA) Channels?

No. Consumers do not need a specific Set Top Box (STB) to receive and watch Free-to-Air (FTA) channels. Any Type approved FTA Set Top Box should be able to receive all Free to air channels.

The Authority Type Approves set top boxes and Integrated Digital TVs for use in Kenya, details are available on the Digital Kenya website.