dear listers i have read most of the postings and it worries me if the media power houses can control the interpretation of important issues to the public like this, i may not be familiar with the whole licensing process in the government but all i know is that dispite the number of applicants there is only one firm that can be awarded in such a situation. if such an issue has been controlled by the media for there own benefit. then how much information has the media houses twisted and controlled for there own benefit in the past? thank you all --- On Sun, 7/24/11, bitange@jambo.co.ke <bitange@jambo.co.ke> wrote: From: bitange@jambo.co.ke <bitange@jambo.co.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Digital TV signal Distribution row-@Kenya IGF To: memakunat@yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Sunday, July 24, 2011, 9:49 AM Listers, Please step out of the box and understand this issue. There are about 30 companies with license to distribute Internet Protocol (IP) signinal. Of these just a handful are controlled by Kenyans. The licenses issued to Signet and PANG (Chinese)to distribute Broadcasting signal is actually the same given to other IP signal distributors. In essence any telco would have easily distributed the signal. This is because broadcast and telecommunications have converged. One would ask why we did not just give the existing IP signal distributors to roll out digital broadcast. Indeed we considered this and we knew broadcasters would resist the power that telcos would wield (read Banks). We then decided to create a special Broadcast IP signal license knowing very well that the development of Web TV is advancing fast. Indeed the technologies like DVBT, ISDBT etc would be eliminated once web tv takes over in another 5 years. This would mean that even CCK will not issue such IP licenses but only content license. We are simply in a development stage and check my words. There is no Broadcast Signal licensee (if their intention is to only distribute broadcast signal) who will recover the Ksh. 4 billion investment before the broadcast technology shifts to web broadcasting. We are already into Youtube and the like. Sometines follow ITU discussions, it is just a matter of time before all of us become broadcasters from our websites. All research is now focused on moving from Standard Definition to High Defition to 3D on the web. Just check TV manufacturers to understand the direction we are going. Already there is Internet TV with 1,500 free to air channels from Samsung. The smart TV which incorpotates today and tomorrow video requirements. We have been boxed into a small corner with lies. Indeed I have called my counterparts in Rwanda and Uganda and there is nothing with cancellation of licenses as reported. You can call and check. Prior to advertizing the tender, the Migration Committee had offered shares in Signet or better the license to all broadcasters owing to their investments in the sector that will go to waste. Instead they started fighting among themselves and agreed to a competitive bid but they did not report this. Under affirmative action, we shall proceed to issue the third license to the compainants on condition they incorporate others who already have infrastructure but only time will tell. (Mtoto akililia wembe, mpatie). It is not a wise decision for them if their intent is to protect our sovreinity through local entrepreneurship. The war in future will be in content and so Intellectual Property is where we must focus our energies. The last time I checked Ngurario in the net, it was a product of Intel and Microsoft. I do not know what is more important, our heritage or channels to which we distribute our creations. We shall benefit from this interaction if we think mostly out of the box and understand what is important to our future. The Government is devolving power to the citizens as evidenced with the launch of open government. But if the citizens continue with the old politically correct statements that have no evidence then we have a problem. These are some of the people who will be told of a revolution that happened during their time but were not able to see it because they were blinded with the past. Regards Ndemo.
Allow me to add some comments on this thread. :-)
Why is the ownership of the core signal distribution facilities of national importance ? I agree with Hon Eng Rege's assesment of potential sabotage and this alone is serious enough. Today we can openly discuss issues of such importance, who knows what will be the situation in another 20 years. All global governments have been known to back track or fast track. In 20 years time, we will have changed govt, policies to match back-tracking or fast-tracking at least 5 different times but two local companies will still be in existence i.e NMG/Royal Media and operating the national signal distribution without any effects whatsoever. We are also players in the global world and there is also the problem of global policies that affects us. If tomorrow China came under any sanctions internationally for whatever reason and that all developing nations have to follow the lead on showing how they support these sanctions, will the govt then shutdown the licensed facilities? Case of this is now Libya, which unfortunately developing countries are also being sucked into and told to choose sides between blocking assets and the rest . How would it work then? Anyone know what is happening to Laico Regency and Oil-Libya in Kenya, please share some details.
The signal distribution network and facilities are as important as the signals of DOD. Will we also pass these signals and controls to external parties? I hope not. Nothing against China, as an investor it will be unfortunately get caught up with issues that arise from developing countries fast tracking shortcuts versus almost zero internal initiatives on core ownership development. In this case, I'd have to support the local media groups that can finance, operate and rollout ownership of facilities versus the argument that market competion will drive a diverse solutions. It seems that there aren't that many media stations which would be able to use more facilties even if they were available.
My thoughts and corrections welcome.
Thank you.
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