David, I recall Bwana Ndemo indicating that the boxes would be fabricated locally by jua kali (in partnership with Universities) - to promote local entrepreneurs, sustain the industry and grow the economy. Bwana Ndemo, did that happen? Edith ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist Climate Change & Water Program International Development Research Centre | Centre de recherches pour le développement international Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Tel: +254202713160 | Fax/Téléc: +254202711063 | Skype: edithadera eadera@idrc.or.ke<mailto:eadera@idrc.or.ke> | www.idrc.ca<http://www.idrc.ca/> | www.crdi.ca<http://www.crdi.ca/> ________________________________ From: kictanet [kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of David Makali [dmakali@yahoo.com] Sent: 10 July 2012 15:09 To: Edith Adera Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] much ado about migration but small steps on the ground... members, there is a healthy discussion thriving here and on other ICT fora/platforms about the digital migration. yet quite frankly, this enthusiasm is not matched by concrete steps on the ground. for example, can anyone tell me where to get that decoder/top box in the whole of nairobi for receiving the signet (kbc signal where all local broadcasters seem to have moved? APPARENTLY there is no supply in town, as at my last check this past weekend (despite the government having waived duty on the gadgets in this year's budget). Also, it seems like the service is being charged a monthly fee - for those who want to subscribe to PANG. was that the intention of the govt? so then what happens to the whole notion of competition and the expected quality service if kbc is the sole provider of the signal? and do kenyans understand that the licence to pang was not free to air but pay to view? two, there seems to be confusion about the type of decoder to acquire if, as i gather, the types could be different for subscribers to PANG, SIGNET or the one that the media owners consortium will be gifted with. Is it T1 or T2 decoder? three, the signal distributors don't have enough capacity yet - the signal only being available so far in nairobi and environs and (soon) Mombasa. which leads me to wonder whether the intense promotion/adverstising campaign by cck is not going to waste. shouldn't the switch be instant and nationwide? just wondering. david makali _______________ "If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster." — Isaac Asimo, Columbian Author and Scientist _______________ PO Box 3234 00200 Nairobi, Kenya cell: +254 722 517 540 ________________________________