Kenya has been struggling to migrate from analog to digital television over the past couple of years with the move stalled due to a case between local broadcasting networks and the Communication Commission of Kenya. With regards to the case, the court recently set aside the Order of the Court of Appeal which annulled PANG’s BSD licence. CA, the Communications Authority of Kenya, was asked to consider the merits of the application for a BSD licence by National Signal Networks and inform the court of its decision.
So, what are some of the benefits of digital migration to the country?
1. Better picture quality
One of the biggest assets for digital television is the quality of the pictures and the sound. It offers sharper, brighter picture, and reduced interference which will greatly improve viewer experience in the country.
2. More choice
With digital television, viewers will have more choices on channels to watch and greater diversity for the wide demographic.
3. More access
The Set Top Box (STB) used to receive the digital signal also has the capability to interface with devices such as a cell phone, memory card or internet modem thus providing viewers with access to many more services and information.
4. Better viewing pleasure
Digital broadcasting allows for high definition television which is the premium version of digital television, offering picture and sound quality which is much better than today’s analog television.
5. Electronic Program Guides (EPGs)
Electronic Program Guide (EPGs) can be used by viewers to navigate between channels, identify the currently screening program and the next program (‘now and next’) on each channel. More sophisticated EPGs can be used to set reminders for program viewing, provide a short synopsis of the content of programs, identify programming in advance for several days, search for programs by genre, and provide access to some enhancements among others.
6. Better utilization of frequencies
It is common knowledge that digital signals carry more data thus reducing the number of frequencies required for the broadcasting sector and allowing the unused frequencies to be used in other services.