Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
Sure! They would like us ti believe that is has been and should remain ok for them to hold public freedom of expression hostage? Priority given to those with deep pockets aka advertisers? ------------------------------ On Fri, Dec 27, 2013 11:28 AM MSK Mark Elkins wrote:
On Thu, 2013-12-26 at 21:49 +0000, Omo, John wrote:
Thanks Steve, The question you raise to Mr Wambua has been answered on this thread: there is currently not enough spectrum to licence a third operator .
I don't understand the "not enough spectrum" position. Technically speaking,
1 - with Analogue switched off - there will be more unused spectrum. I'm sure plans are being made as to how it will be used though.
2 - The two licensed holders presumably have enough spectrum to both distribute and broadcast all current TV stations - plus many, many more..
I guess the issue is TV signal producers (content) would rather distribute and broadcast (control) their own signal rather than enrich and be held hostage (unknown performance/censored) by a third party?
That's a familiar argument.
Let me attempt a layman's answer to your second question. Many an Editor/Correspondent from the so called mainstream media are on this list. Their silence on such a topical issue is telling of one of the major ills besseting our media industry: one way- (as opposed to what I call discourse-) journalism. One way journalism prefers to give information in/on its own way/terms but quite shy in hard-talk engagement. When you dialogue with some of our Editors, they bemoan the loss of professionalism, largely due to 'censorship from inside'. Many of what they would write on such a 'sensitive' issue is 'edited' by a non editor sitting much higher up. The irony is that this is part of what is killing the mainstream media. Engaged viewer/reader-ship has little or no time for a 130-paged newspaper, or some evening outdated screen verbiage. I do this in my private capacity from my Land's end village with no TV signals and does not receive 130-paged newspapers. We though envision additional community ICT centres around schools and the only one available is over stretched. Omo
From: Collins Areba | Tel +254 707 750 788 | twitter @brainiacKE [mailto:arebacollins@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 11:19 PM To: Omo, John Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
@wambua, I guess my question is on the issue of the 3rd signal distibution license.. Why not award it to the players crying foul and asking for it? Might it be because the two awardees could not survive without content from these players if they focused their content on their own distribution network? Might that explain why Digital migration has not taken off as effectively (because it lacks prime movers).
and to the Media Houses.. Were you soo sure you would win on an extended technicality that the ruling caught you off guard? at what point were you planning to shift focus from protecting turf to getting into the formidable arena of competing in a crowded arena?
On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 at 11:02 PM, Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group] <bkioko@bernsoft.com> wrote: Wambua,
I see stations now scrolling messages and one saying they are not against the migration and in fact they support it, and that their concern is “…not enough set top boxes have been acquired or that adequate stocks are available for acquisition by viewers”.
I only wish they started scrolling this a month ago…
What is you comment on this statement currently scrolling on screens?
Regards
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces +bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Wambua, Christopher Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 10:21 PM To: bkioko@bernsoft.com
Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
Because of frequency spectrum limitations.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
From:Watila Alex
Sent:Thursday, 26 December 2013 21:56 PM
To:Wambua, Christopher
Reply To:awatila@yahoo.co.uk
Cc:Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject:Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
why was the number of signal distributors limited to two? -- Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
______________________________________________________________ From: Wambua, Christopher <Wambua@cck.go.ke>; To: <awatila@yahoo.co.uk>; Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs <CPA@cck.go.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>; Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling Sent: Thu, Dec 26, 2013 6:43:55 PM
The tender for the 2nd signal distribution licence was an open one. And indeed some of the local media set up a consortium through which they submitted a bid. Their bid was however unsuccessful.
If they had put in an attractive bid, they could have improved their chances of winning. Even if CCK were to float another tender for signal distribution restricted only to local firms, interested companies would have to compete for the licence. Firms that submit poor bids would still lose.
Local firms need to improve their capacity in responding to government tenders. If they don't, they will continue losing out to international firms even in businesses where they have proven expertise.
Wambua
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
From:Watila Alex
Sent:Thursday, 26 December 2013 21:22 PM
To:Ngigi Waithaka
Reply To:awatila@yahoo.co.uk
Cc:Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject:Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
i think their major compliant is the limiting of the number of signal distributors. they had hoped to also be signal distributors
-- Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
______________________________________________________________ From: Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi@at.co.ke>; To: <awatila@yahoo.co.uk>; Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs <CPA@cck.go.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>; Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling Sent: Thu, Dec 26, 2013 4:01:53 PM
Quick one,
Why would the media houses object to going Digital? Are there any advantages to remaining analog?
While I support that the 2nd license ought to have gone to the Kenyan Consortium, I don't support us remaining on the analog broadcasting platform.
For the uninitiated, Digital is equivalent to FM in radio while Analog takes you back to Short Wave radio. Good luck tuning that....
Waithaka Ngigi
Alliance Technologies Nairobi, Kenya
www.A1.io
On 26 Dec 2013 13:56, "Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group]" <bkioko@bernsoft.com> wrote:
Ali,
It’s no secret am for the digital migration.
Sometime in 2006, a worldwide decision was taken to migrate to Digital by 17th June 2015. Kenya actively started this process in 2009. Many consultative meetings have been held (75 according to CS Information). Of the 9yrs allocated for this transition, Kenya has already used up 7 doing rounds and entertaining selfish interests like we are seeing now. We have 2 to go on now if we are to meet this deadline. Question: When do these media houses feel is the right time to move?
These media houses were running in 2006….2009 … 2013… so their inability to appropriately plan to migrate should not be used to hold the country against the development and opportunities that Digital broadcasting brings to the people of Kenya.
What I find distasteful in their argument is that Nairobians need more time to acquire these devices. CCK had a clear awareness campaign which involved running advertisements informing Nairobians of this switch over and the need to purchase settop boxes. These media houses found it ideal to refuse to run these advertisements – even though CCK was going to pay for the advertisements.
Secondly, It was these media houses that asked that the deadline be moved to December instead of August as CCK had wanted. Instead of supporting their own December date, they rushed to court to make an effort to block the migration. A judge has made a decision and I appreciate that they have a right to the appeal – but what was the need to maliciously deceive Kenyans that they have been switched off? They were transmitting. When DSTV and Zuku took them off their bouquets the game changed abit of course! What is the reason they resumed their broadcast? Did CCK change any terms?
If you watched the CS explain his frustrations with these media houses, then you can understand more why we must not allow them to hold us ransom.
BTW, it needs to be noted that there are no technical issues around the media houses being able to broadcast digitally. They are all currently technically able to broadcast.
Just like they resisted having their print newspaper on the Internet – and were eventually forced to, they will need to understand that Digital Broadcasting is technology they have no choice but to embrace.
Regards
PS: I wish they were telling CCK, we will comply with Digital broadcast fully right now, but allow us to stay on the analog for another 3 months so that we are available on both analog and digital for that period. That to me would be a slightly reasonable bargaining point.
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces +bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Ali Hussein Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 1:16 PM To: bkioko@bernsoft.com Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
@Wambua
Thanks for that information. If that is the case then the media houses are definitely not acting in good faith. I suspect though that there may be an issue of who controls what..which in my opinion is shortsighted. I stand corrected in my assertions then.
@ICT Researcher, what in your view is my stand? I'm simply making my personal assertions on this issue. We can of course agree to disagree.
Ali Hussein
+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113
"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein
Sent from my iPad
On Dec 26, 2013, at 1:03 PM, "Wambua, Christopher" <Wambua@cck.go.ke> wrote:
Ali,
I know that the government has on a number of occasions offered to offload some shares in Signet to interested media houses.
Instead of taking up the offer, the media houses have instead persisted in their clamour to be issued with the third signal distribution licence.
Is this insistence in the interest of optimal use of frequency spectrum resources?
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
From: Ali Hussein
Sent: Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:29 PM
To: ICT Researcher
Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
@ Ohaga, ICT Researcher
Lest we forget
1. http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/cck-caught-in-surprise-cabinet-secret...
2. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/KBC-set-for-split-as-State...
The issue guys isn't whether the media houses are right or wrong. Digital Migration is a foregone conclusion. The issues is how we make policy in this country on ICT issues. And this is not a reference to the current administration. This is a blanket discussion on the last 15 years to date.
Admittedly good things have happened and that is why this country has progressed to where we are. There is a lot to celebrate but there is also a lot to be done.
The digital migration ought from the onset (and I say this with a straight face and no shame at all) to have been skewed towards local media houses as a matter of course. In fact the first CIO article I mentioned above (see the link) seemed to have alluded to the fact that the ministry had realized its error and decided to award a 3rd digital license to local media houses...then poof! Something happened again and the decision was rescinded.
Ohaga, forgive me for being underwhelmed by the Government's awarding a digital platform license to KBC. No one on this list can deny the fact that KBC is a shadow of itself (if ever it was a whole being). Even its mandate of being the Government's mouthpiece is not being fulfilled. So why waste such a strategically important asset to it?
The second article in the business daily alludes to the fact that the AG registered Signet as a separate entity from KBC. That is as it should be. I wonder where that process is at...in fact I will be daring enough to say that Signet should be reconfigured and shares offered to the local media houses so that there is ownership of the local content producers. This is the prudent thing to do. After all why offer a share of Signet to DSTV (which is owned by Naspers of South Africa) and not to other media houses?
Lastly I would like to address the issue of policy making and regulation. I'm not a lawyer but a simple explanation:-
The policy maker decides what the regulations should be and passes the laws implementing the regulations. The government regulator enforces those regulations.
This issue has been addressed before by different listers on the list. I humbly submit that the lines here are very blurred in government as to who shapes policy and who regulates. I think its time someone took the bull by its horns and does what needs to be done.
Ali Hussein
+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113
"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein
Sent from my iPad
On Dec 26, 2013, at 11:03 AM, ICT Researcher <ict.researcher@yahoo.com> wrote:
i.e. one fails to understand what new arguement is, beyond all those dealt with on judgement at: http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/93274/
Commeding Kenyalaw.org people for opening up court decisions to the public, without which we used to argue on third parties' opinions, views, hearsy, innuendos etc...
------------------------------ On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 8:38 AM MSK ICT Researcher wrote:
-2 @Ali -1 @Ngigi -1
-------------------------------
On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 12:04 AM MSK S.M. Muraya wrote:
+1 @Ali +1 @Ngigi +1
Regards
Murigi / Stanley Muraya
*"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one
who takes a city." Prov 16:32*
On Wed, Dec 25, 2013 at 10:27 AM, Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi@at.co.ke> wrote:
This is the same corruption issues disguised as 'competitive' tender...
Look at it this way, you want Kenya's airwaves to be digital. On one hand
you get a national parastatal which performs below average on the other
hand a foreign company.
We all know KBC wouldn't perform, so we will have our key national
broadcast handled by a foreign firm. If some guy in China pushes a certain
button, we could get a complete news blackout. Is that not a serious
security risk that ought to have mitigated against during the bid
requirements stage?
Now my hypothesis, the Chinese got this since the ones handling the tender
could not get kickbacks from either KBC nor from the Kenyan consortium that
generally operates in an industry where they dont have to pay kickbacks.
With the incoming new government the ones handling the tender, had to line
their pockets quick. Damn national interests!
But, we are where we are and them TV stations have been down for a number
of days, interestlingly enough I havent noticed!
Merry Xmas.
Waithaka Ngigi
Alliance Technologies
Nairobi, Kenya
www.A1.io
On 25 Dec 2013 07:32, "Ali Hussein" <ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
Wambua
The issue I raise is beyond 'competitive bidding issues'.
Try owning digital signals in China, US or Europe if you are a foreign
company. Why is it that we think that 'free markets' are only 'free' when
African countries are involved?
History is littered with local protectionism for certain industries. In
fact China and Japan are the biggest examples of this. Way do we see it fit
to just give away our Crown Jewels in the guise of free and competitive
bidding?
I understand that this may be beyond CCK's pay grade and should actually
be addressed to policy makers...
Ali Hussein
+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113
"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will
have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein
Sent from my iPad
On Dec 24, 2013, at 6:41 PM, Bernard Kioko <bkioko@bernsoft.com> wrote:
They can't share or come out like he just did. Theirs is not based on
honesty and valid reasons. The use of court is so they can hide behind
legal technicalities.
The CS said he has been available for dialog but they go chest thumb and
threatening.
If they had any previous effort towards educating consumer they would
hold moral authority in my space. Refusing to air paid adverts by cck....I
say very irresponsible.
sad though.
On 24 Dec 2013 18:35, "Walubengo J" <jwalu@yahoo.com> wrote:
@Wambua
jst seen the CS breathing fire on K24 on this matter. It looks like
this fight is moving from the courts into the public space. It sounds like
its going to be looong and bloody. Ave heard from the Govt side, I wonder
what the Media house side is...they are all here on KICTAnet and I wish
they would freely share their view -outside the constraints of a court case.
One good outcome of the blackout from NTV, KTN and Citizen is the
discovery of KBC and KT24...had forgotten they exist :-)
walu.
------------------------------
On Tue, Dec 24, 2013 4:39 PM AST (Arabian) Wambua, Christopher wrote:
Bernard,
CCK has not issued a third licence for digital signal distribution.
Christopher Wambua
Manager - Communications
Consumer and Public Affairs Department
Communications Commission of Kenya
P.O. Box 14448 NAIROBI 00800
Tel: +254 20 4242209
info@cck.go.ke<mailto:info@cck.go.ke>
www.cck.go.ke<http://www.cck.go.ke>
From: Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group] [mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 4:35 PM
To: Wambua, Christopher
Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'
Subject: RE: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital
Migration Ruling
Christopher,
I am an ardent supporter of the migration but I need to ask.
Have you issued any 3rd license to anyone?
Regards
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+bkioko=
bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke]<mailto:[mailto:
kictanet-bounces +bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke]> On Behalf
Of Wambua, Christopher
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:54 PM
To: bkioko@bernsoft.com<mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com>
Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital
Migration Ruling
Importance: High
You will recall that the 2nd licence for digital broadcasting signal
distribution was issued out competitively through an open tender. Some of
the local media houses expressed interest in the tender but lost out to the
licence by the Pan-Africa Network Group in an open and transparent
tendering process. They subsequently lodged an appeal to the Public
Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) which was dismissed as lacking any
merit.
The two firms have set up digital platforms in Nairobi and other major
towns in country to support the migration from analogue to digital TV
broadcasting. The issue of awarding the licences to a Chinese firm and a
subsidiary of a firm on its deathbed is therefore a non-issue.
Best regards
Christopher Wambua
Manager - Communications
Consumer and Public Affairs Department
Communications Commission of Kenya
P.O. Box 14448 NAIROBI 00800
Tel: +254 20 4242209
info@cck.go.ke<mailto:info@cck.go.ke>
www.cck.go.ke<http://www.cck.go.ke>
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+wambua=
cck.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Kivuva
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:25 PM
To: Wambua, Christopher
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital
Migration Ruling
On 23 December 2013 19:01, Ali Hussein <ali@hussein.me.ke<mailto:
ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
Brinkmanship.
To be fair though I can't help thinking how skewed we are as a country
that the two digital signals are:-
1. Controlled by a Chinese company
2. Controlled by a defunct media company that is at its death bed..
+1 Ali
Capital flight is a KILLER of any economy.
Where have we go we wrong?
Ali Hussein
+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113
"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world
< ...
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KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
ICT Researcher We don't leave in a utopian world..He who pays the piper calls the tune. At the risk of belaboring the point it is a competitive issue that has to be addressed. In fact we are already seeing trends of content providers and infrastructure owners morphing into one:- 1. Google is busy laying fibre/buying fibre across the world 2. Facebook is doing the same 3. Zuku is a triple play player - owning the infrastructure and at the same time involved heavily in content creation and distribution 4. Safaricom is moving the same way. 5. Infact all across the world we are seeing the convergence of content and infrastructure. This is partly due to competitive pressures and at the same time an answer to policy, regulatory and legislative pressures. By the way one of the key bones of contention at WCIT12 in Dubai was the principle of whether content providers should pay telcos to carry their content. http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/02/14/should-content-providers-p... The point is that there is no simple answer to this. @Wambua - lastly I'm really curious as to what shareholder (percentage terms) was offered to the media Owners in Signet. And whether the Media owners are just Wagging the dog and distracting from the real issues or it is the Government that is Wagging the dog. Bottom-line? There has been too much brinkmanship on both sides and its time to sit down and sort these issues out for the betterment of the country. Ali Hussein +254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113 "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad
On Dec 27, 2013, at 12:00 PM, ICT Researcher <ict.researcher@yahoo.com> wrote:
Sure! They would like us ti believe that is has been and should remain ok for them to hold public freedom of expression hostage? Priority given to those with deep pockets aka advertisers?
------------------------------
On Fri, Dec 27, 2013 11:28 AM MSK Mark Elkins wrote:
On Thu, 2013-12-26 at 21:49 +0000, Omo, John wrote: Thanks Steve, The question you raise to Mr Wambua has been answered on this thread: there is currently not enough spectrum to licence a third operator .
I don't understand the "not enough spectrum" position. Technically speaking,
1 - with Analogue switched off - there will be more unused spectrum. I'm sure plans are being made as to how it will be used though.
2 - The two licensed holders presumably have enough spectrum to both distribute and broadcast all current TV stations - plus many, many more..
I guess the issue is TV signal producers (content) would rather distribute and broadcast (control) their own signal rather than enrich and be held hostage (unknown performance/censored) by a third party?
That's a familiar argument.
Let me attempt a layman's answer to your second question. Many an Editor/Correspondent from the so called mainstream media are on this list. Their silence on such a topical issue is telling of one of the major ills besseting our media industry: one way- (as opposed to what I call discourse-) journalism. One way journalism prefers to give information in/on its own way/terms but quite shy in hard-talk engagement. When you dialogue with some of our Editors, they bemoan the loss of professionalism, largely due to 'censorship from inside'. Many of what they would write on such a 'sensitive' issue is 'edited' by a non editor sitting much higher up. The irony is that this is part of what is killing the mainstream media. Engaged viewer/reader-ship has little or no time for a 130-paged newspaper, or some evening outdated screen verbiage. I do this in my private capacity from my Land's end village with no TV signals and does not receive 130-paged newspapers. We though envision additional community ICT centres around schools and the only one available is over stretched. Omo
From: Collins Areba | Tel +254 707 750 788 | twitter @brainiacKE [mailto:arebacollins@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 11:19 PM To: Omo, John Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
@wambua, I guess my question is on the issue of the 3rd signal distibution license.. Why not award it to the players crying foul and asking for it? Might it be because the two awardees could not survive without content from these players if they focused their content on their own distribution network? Might that explain why Digital migration has not taken off as effectively (because it lacks prime movers).
and to the Media Houses.. Were you soo sure you would win on an extended technicality that the ruling caught you off guard? at what point were you planning to shift focus from protecting turf to getting into the formidable arena of competing in a crowded arena?
On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 at 11:02 PM, Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group] <bkioko@bernsoft.com> wrote: Wambua,
I see stations now scrolling messages and one saying they are not against the migration and in fact they support it, and that their concern is “…not enough set top boxes have been acquired or that adequate stocks are available for acquisition by viewers”.
I only wish they started scrolling this a month ago…
What is you comment on this statement currently scrolling on screens?
Regards
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces +bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Wambua, Christopher Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 10:21 PM To: bkioko@bernsoft.com
Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
Because of frequency spectrum limitations.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
From:Watila Alex
Sent:Thursday, 26 December 2013 21:56 PM
To:Wambua, Christopher
Reply To:awatila@yahoo.co.uk
Cc:Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject:Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
why was the number of signal distributors limited to two? -- Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
______________________________________________________________ From: Wambua, Christopher <Wambua@cck.go.ke>; To: <awatila@yahoo.co.uk>; Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs <CPA@cck.go.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>; Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling Sent: Thu, Dec 26, 2013 6:43:55 PM
The tender for the 2nd signal distribution licence was an open one. And indeed some of the local media set up a consortium through which they submitted a bid. Their bid was however unsuccessful.
If they had put in an attractive bid, they could have improved their chances of winning. Even if CCK were to float another tender for signal distribution restricted only to local firms, interested companies would have to compete for the licence. Firms that submit poor bids would still lose.
Local firms need to improve their capacity in responding to government tenders. If they don't, they will continue losing out to international firms even in businesses where they have proven expertise.
Wambua
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
From:Watila Alex
Sent:Thursday, 26 December 2013 21:22 PM
To:Ngigi Waithaka
Reply To:awatila@yahoo.co.uk
Cc:Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject:Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
i think their major compliant is the limiting of the number of signal distributors. they had hoped to also be signal distributors
-- Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
______________________________________________________________ From: Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi@at.co.ke>; To: <awatila@yahoo.co.uk>; Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs <CPA@cck.go.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>; Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling Sent: Thu, Dec 26, 2013 4:01:53 PM
Quick one,
Why would the media houses object to going Digital? Are there any advantages to remaining analog?
While I support that the 2nd license ought to have gone to the Kenyan Consortium, I don't support us remaining on the analog broadcasting platform.
For the uninitiated, Digital is equivalent to FM in radio while Analog takes you back to Short Wave radio. Good luck tuning that....
Waithaka Ngigi
Alliance Technologies Nairobi, Kenya
www.A1.io
On 26 Dec 2013 13:56, "Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group]" <bkioko@bernsoft.com> wrote:
Ali,
It’s no secret am for the digital migration.
Sometime in 2006, a worldwide decision was taken to migrate to Digital by 17th June 2015. Kenya actively started this process in 2009. Many consultative meetings have been held (75 according to CS Information). Of the 9yrs allocated for this transition, Kenya has already used up 7 doing rounds and entertaining selfish interests like we are seeing now. We have 2 to go on now if we are to meet this deadline. Question: When do these media houses feel is the right time to move?
These media houses were running in 2006….2009 … 2013… so their inability to appropriately plan to migrate should not be used to hold the country against the development and opportunities that Digital broadcasting brings to the people of Kenya.
What I find distasteful in their argument is that Nairobians need more time to acquire these devices. CCK had a clear awareness campaign which involved running advertisements informing Nairobians of this switch over and the need to purchase settop boxes. These media houses found it ideal to refuse to run these advertisements – even though CCK was going to pay for the advertisements.
Secondly, It was these media houses that asked that the deadline be moved to December instead of August as CCK had wanted. Instead of supporting their own December date, they rushed to court to make an effort to block the migration. A judge has made a decision and I appreciate that they have a right to the appeal – but what was the need to maliciously deceive Kenyans that they have been switched off? They were transmitting. When DSTV and Zuku took them off their bouquets the game changed abit of course! What is the reason they resumed their broadcast? Did CCK change any terms?
If you watched the CS explain his frustrations with these media houses, then you can understand more why we must not allow them to hold us ransom.
BTW, it needs to be noted that there are no technical issues around the media houses being able to broadcast digitally. They are all currently technically able to broadcast.
Just like they resisted having their print newspaper on the Internet – and were eventually forced to, they will need to understand that Digital Broadcasting is technology they have no choice but to embrace.
Regards
PS: I wish they were telling CCK, we will comply with Digital broadcast fully right now, but allow us to stay on the analog for another 3 months so that we are available on both analog and digital for that period. That to me would be a slightly reasonable bargaining point.
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces +bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Ali Hussein Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 1:16 PM To: bkioko@bernsoft.com Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
@Wambua
Thanks for that information. If that is the case then the media houses are definitely not acting in good faith. I suspect though that there may be an issue of who controls what..which in my opinion is shortsighted. I stand corrected in my assertions then.
@ICT Researcher, what in your view is my stand? I'm simply making my personal assertions on this issue. We can of course agree to disagree.
Ali Hussein
+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113
"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein
Sent from my iPad
On Dec 26, 2013, at 1:03 PM, "Wambua, Christopher" <Wambua@cck.go.ke> wrote:
Ali,
I know that the government has on a number of occasions offered to offload some shares in Signet to interested media houses.
Instead of taking up the offer, the media houses have instead persisted in their clamour to be issued with the third signal distribution licence.
Is this insistence in the interest of optimal use of frequency spectrum resources?
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
From: Ali Hussein
Sent: Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:29 PM
To: ICT Researcher
Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
@ Ohaga, ICT Researcher
Lest we forget
1. http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/cck-caught-in-surprise-cabinet-secret...
2. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/KBC-set-for-split-as-State...
The issue guys isn't whether the media houses are right or wrong. Digital Migration is a foregone conclusion. The issues is how we make policy in this country on ICT issues. And this is not a reference to the current administration. This is a blanket discussion on the last 15 years to date.
Admittedly good things have happened and that is why this country has progressed to where we are. There is a lot to celebrate but there is also a lot to be done.
The digital migration ought from the onset (and I say this with a straight face and no shame at all) to have been skewed towards local media houses as a matter of course. In fact the first CIO article I mentioned above (see the link) seemed to have alluded to the fact that the ministry had realized its error and decided to award a 3rd digital license to local media houses...then poof! Something happened again and the decision was rescinded.
Ohaga, forgive me for being underwhelmed by the Government's awarding a digital platform license to KBC. No one on this list can deny the fact that KBC is a shadow of itself (if ever it was a whole being). Even its mandate of being the Government's mouthpiece is not being fulfilled. So why waste such a strategically important asset to it?
The second article in the business daily alludes to the fact that the AG registered Signet as a separate entity from KBC. That is as it should be. I wonder where that process is at...in fact I will be daring enough to say that Signet should be reconfigured and shares offered to the local media houses so that there is ownership of the local content producers. This is the prudent thing to do. After all why offer a share of Signet to DSTV (which is owned by Naspers of South Africa) and not to other media houses?
Lastly I would like to address the issue of policy making and regulation. I'm not a lawyer but a simple explanation:-
The policy maker decides what the regulations should be and passes the laws implementing the regulations. The government regulator enforces those regulations.
This issue has been addressed before by different listers on the list. I humbly submit that the lines here are very blurred in government as to who shapes policy and who regulates. I think its time someone took the bull by its horns and does what needs to be done.
Ali Hussein
+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113
"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein
Sent from my iPad
On Dec 26, 2013, at 11:03 AM, ICT Researcher <ict.researcher@yahoo.com> wrote:
i.e. one fails to understand what new arguement is, beyond all those dealt with on judgement at: http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/93274/
Commeding Kenyalaw.org people for opening up court decisions to the public, without which we used to argue on third parties' opinions, views, hearsy, innuendos etc...
------------------------------ On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 8:38 AM MSK ICT Researcher wrote:
-2 @Ali -1 @Ngigi -1
-------------------------------
On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 12:04 AM MSK S.M. Muraya wrote:
+1 @Ali +1 @Ngigi +1
Regards
Murigi / Stanley Muraya
*"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one
who takes a city." Prov 16:32*
On Wed, Dec 25, 2013 at 10:27 AM, Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi@at.co.ke> wrote:
This is the same corruption issues disguised as 'competitive' tender...
Look at it this way, you want Kenya's airwaves to be digital. On one hand
you get a national parastatal which performs below average on the other
hand a foreign company.
We all know KBC wouldn't perform, so we will have our key national
broadcast handled by a foreign firm. If some guy in China pushes a certain
button, we could get a complete news blackout. Is that not a serious
security risk that ought to have mitigated against during the bid
requirements stage?
Now my hypothesis, the Chinese got this since the ones handling the tender
could not get kickbacks from either KBC nor from the Kenyan consortium that
generally operates in an industry where they dont have to pay kickbacks.
With the incoming new government the ones handling the tender, had to line
their pockets quick. Damn national interests!
But, we are where we are and them TV stations have been down for a number
of days, interestlingly enough I havent noticed!
Merry Xmas.
Waithaka Ngigi
Alliance Technologies
Nairobi, Kenya
www.A1.io
On 25 Dec 2013 07:32, "Ali Hussein" <ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
Wambua
The issue I raise is beyond 'competitive bidding issues'.
Try owning digital signals in China, US or Europe if you are a foreign
company. Why is it that we think that 'free markets' are only 'free' when
African countries are involved?
History is littered with local protectionism for certain industries. In
fact China and Japan are the biggest examples of this. Way do we see it fit
to just give away our Crown Jewels in the guise of free and competitive
bidding?
I understand that this may be beyond CCK's pay grade and should actually
be addressed to policy makers...
Ali Hussein
+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113
"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will
have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein
Sent from my iPad
On Dec 24, 2013, at 6:41 PM, Bernard Kioko <bkioko@bernsoft.com> wrote:
They can't share or come out like he just did. Theirs is not based on
honesty and valid reasons. The use of court is so they can hide behind
legal technicalities.
The CS said he has been available for dialog but they go chest thumb and
threatening.
If they had any previous effort towards educating consumer they would
hold moral authority in my space. Refusing to air paid adverts by cck....I
say very irresponsible.
sad though.
On 24 Dec 2013 18:35, "Walubengo J" <jwalu@yahoo.com> wrote:
@Wambua
jst seen the CS breathing fire on K24 on this matter. It looks like
this fight is moving from the courts into the public space. It sounds like
its going to be looong and bloody. Ave heard from the Govt side, I wonder
what the Media house side is...they are all here on KICTAnet and I wish
they would freely share their view -outside the constraints of a court case.
One good outcome of the blackout from NTV, KTN and Citizen is the
discovery of KBC and KT24...had forgotten they exist :-)
walu.
------------------------------
On Tue, Dec 24, 2013 4:39 PM AST (Arabian) Wambua, Christopher wrote:
Bernard,
CCK has not issued a third licence for digital signal distribution.
Christopher Wambua
Manager - Communications
Consumer and Public Affairs Department
Communications Commission of Kenya
P.O. Box 14448 NAIROBI 00800
Tel: +254 20 4242209
info@cck.go.ke<mailto:info@cck.go.ke>
www.cck.go.ke<http://www.cck.go.ke>
From: Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group] [mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 4:35 PM
To: Wambua, Christopher
Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'
Subject: RE: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital
Migration Ruling
Christopher,
I am an ardent supporter of the migration but I need to ask.
Have you issued any 3rd license to anyone?
Regards
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+bkioko=
bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke]<mailto:[mailto:
kictanet-bounces +bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke]> On Behalf
Of Wambua, Christopher
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:54 PM
To: bkioko@bernsoft.com<mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com>
Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital
Migration Ruling
Importance: High
You will recall that the 2nd licence for digital broadcasting signal
distribution was issued out competitively through an open tender. Some of
the local media houses expressed interest in the tender but lost out to the
licence by the Pan-Africa Network Group in an open and transparent
tendering process. They subsequently lodged an appeal to the Public
Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) which was dismissed as lacking any
merit.
The two firms have set up digital platforms in Nairobi and other major
towns in country to support the migration from analogue to digital TV
broadcasting. The issue of awarding the licences to a Chinese firm and a
subsidiary of a firm on its deathbed is therefore a non-issue.
Best regards
Christopher Wambua
Manager - Communications
Consumer and Public Affairs Department
Communications Commission of Kenya
P.O. Box 14448 NAIROBI 00800
Tel: +254 20 4242209
info@cck.go.ke<mailto:info@cck.go.ke>
www.cck.go.ke<http://www.cck.go.ke>
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+wambua=
cck.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Kivuva
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:25 PM
To: Wambua, Christopher
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital
Migration Ruling
On 23 December 2013 19:01, Ali Hussein <ali@hussein.me.ke<mailto:
ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
Brinkmanship.
To be fair though I can't help thinking how skewed we are as a country
that the two digital signals are:-
1. Controlled by a Chinese company
2. Controlled by a defunct media company that is at its death bed..
+1 Ali
Capital flight is a KILLER of any economy.
Where have we go we wrong?
Ali Hussein
+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113
"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world
< ...
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Ali, I am not privy to the percentages that were on offer. The government is best placed to respond to this. Wambua Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone. From: Ali Hussein Sent: Friday, 27 December 2013 12:54 PM To: Wambua, Christopher Cc: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling ICT Researcher We don't leave in a utopian world..He who pays the piper calls the tune. At the risk of belaboring the point it is a competitive issue that has to be addressed. In fact we are already seeing trends of content providers and infrastructure owners morphing into one:- 1. Google is busy laying fibre/buying fibre across the world 2. Facebook is doing the same 3. Zuku is a triple play player - owning the infrastructure and at the same time involved heavily in content creation and distribution 4. Safaricom is moving the same way. 5. Infact all across the world we are seeing the convergence of content and infrastructure. This is partly due to competitive pressures and at the same time an answer to policy, regulatory and legislative pressures. By the way one of the key bones of contention at WCIT12 in Dubai was the principle of whether content providers should pay telcos to carry their content. http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/02/14/should-content-providers-p... The point is that there is no simple answer to this. @Wambua - lastly I'm really curious as to what shareholder (percentage terms) was offered to the media Owners in Signet. And whether the Media owners are just Wagging the dog and distracting from the real issues or it is the Government that is Wagging the dog. Bottom-line? There has been too much brinkmanship on both sides and its time to sit down and sort these issues out for the betterment of the country. Ali Hussein +254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113 "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad On Dec 27, 2013, at 12:00 PM, ICT Researcher <ict.researcher@yahoo.com<mailto:ict.researcher@yahoo.com>> wrote: Sure! They would like us ti believe that is has been and should remain ok for them to hold public freedom of expression hostage? Priority given to those with deep pockets aka advertisers? ------------------------------ On Fri, Dec 27, 2013 11:28 AM MSK Mark Elkins wrote: On Thu, 2013-12-26 at 21:49 +0000, Omo, John wrote: Thanks Steve, The question you raise to Mr Wambua has been answered on this thread: there is currently not enough spectrum to licence a third operator . I don't understand the "not enough spectrum" position. Technically speaking, 1 - with Analogue switched off - there will be more unused spectrum. I'm sure plans are being made as to how it will be used though. 2 - The two licensed holders presumably have enough spectrum to both distribute and broadcast all current TV stations - plus many, many more.. I guess the issue is TV signal producers (content) would rather distribute and broadcast (control) their own signal rather than enrich and be held hostage (unknown performance/censored) by a third party? That's a familiar argument. Let me attempt a layman's answer to your second question. Many an Editor/Correspondent from the so called mainstream media are on this list. Their silence on such a topical issue is telling of one of the major ills besseting our media industry: one way- (as opposed to what I call discourse-) journalism. One way journalism prefers to give information in/on its own way/terms but quite shy in hard-talk engagement. When you dialogue with some of our Editors, they bemoan the loss of professionalism, largely due to 'censorship from inside'. Many of what they would write on such a 'sensitive' issue is 'edited' by a non editor sitting much higher up. The irony is that this is part of what is killing the mainstream media. Engaged viewer/reader-ship has little or no time for a 130-paged newspaper, or some evening outdated screen verbiage. I do this in my private capacity from my Land's end village with no TV signals and does not receive 130-paged newspapers. We though envision additional community ICT centres around schools and the only one available is over stretched. Omo From: Collins Areba | Tel +254 707 750 788 | twitter @brainiacKE [mailto:arebacollins@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 11:19 PM To: Omo, John Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling @wambua, I guess my question is on the issue of the 3rd signal distibution license.. Why not award it to the players crying foul and asking for it? Might it be because the two awardees could not survive without content from these players if they focused their content on their own distribution network? Might that explain why Digital migration has not taken off as effectively (because it lacks prime movers). and to the Media Houses.. Were you soo sure you would win on an extended technicality that the ruling caught you off guard? at what point were you planning to shift focus from protecting turf to getting into the formidable arena of competing in a crowded arena? On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 at 11:02 PM, Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group] <bkioko@bernsoft.com<mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com>> wrote: Wambua, I see stations now scrolling messages and one saying they are not against the migration and in fact they support it, and that their concern is “…not enough set top boxes have been acquired or that adequate stocks are available for acquisition by viewers”. I only wish they started scrolling this a month ago… What is you comment on this statement currently scrolling on screens? Regards From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces +bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke>] On Behalf Of Wambua, Christopher Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 10:21 PM To: bkioko@bernsoft.com<mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com> Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling Because of frequency spectrum limitations. Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone. From:Watila Alex Sent:Thursday, 26 December 2013 21:56 PM To:Wambua, Christopher Reply To:awatila@yahoo.co.uk<http://yahoo.co.uk> Cc:Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject:Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling why was the number of signal distributors limited to two? -- Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android ______________________________________________________________ From: Wambua, Christopher <Wambua@cck.go.ke<mailto:Wambua@cck.go.ke>>; To: <awatila@yahoo.co.uk<mailto:awatila@yahoo.co.uk>>; Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs <CPA@cck.go.ke<mailto:CPA@cck.go.ke>>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>>; Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling Sent: Thu, Dec 26, 2013 6:43:55 PM The tender for the 2nd signal distribution licence was an open one. And indeed some of the local media set up a consortium through which they submitted a bid. Their bid was however unsuccessful. If they had put in an attractive bid, they could have improved their chances of winning. Even if CCK were to float another tender for signal distribution restricted only to local firms, interested companies would have to compete for the licence. Firms that submit poor bids would still lose. Local firms need to improve their capacity in responding to government tenders. If they don't, they will continue losing out to international firms even in businesses where they have proven expertise. Wambua Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone. From:Watila Alex Sent:Thursday, 26 December 2013 21:22 PM To:Ngigi Waithaka Reply To:awatila@yahoo.co.uk<http://yahoo.co.uk> Cc:Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject:Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling i think their major compliant is the limiting of the number of signal distributors. they had hoped to also be signal distributors -- Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android ______________________________________________________________ From: Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi@at.co.ke<mailto:ngigi@at.co.ke>>; To: <awatila@yahoo.co.uk<mailto:awatila@yahoo.co.uk>>; Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs <CPA@cck.go.ke<mailto:CPA@cck.go.ke>>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>>; Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling Sent: Thu, Dec 26, 2013 4:01:53 PM Quick one, Why would the media houses object to going Digital? Are there any advantages to remaining analog? While I support that the 2nd license ought to have gone to the Kenyan Consortium, I don't support us remaining on the analog broadcasting platform. For the uninitiated, Digital is equivalent to FM in radio while Analog takes you back to Short Wave radio. Good luck tuning that.... Waithaka Ngigi Alliance Technologies Nairobi, Kenya www.A1.io<http://www.A1.io> On 26 Dec 2013 13:56, "Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group]" <bkioko@bernsoft.com<mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com>> wrote: Ali, It’s no secret am for the digital migration. Sometime in 2006, a worldwide decision was taken to migrate to Digital by 17th June 2015. Kenya actively started this process in 2009. Many consultative meetings have been held (75 according to CS Information). Of the 9yrs allocated for this transition, Kenya has already used up 7 doing rounds and entertaining selfish interests like we are seeing now. We have 2 to go on now if we are to meet this deadline. Question: When do these media houses feel is the right time to move? These media houses were running in 2006….2009 … 2013… so their inability to appropriately plan to migrate should not be used to hold the country against the development and opportunities that Digital broadcasting brings to the people of Kenya. What I find distasteful in their argument is that Nairobians need more time to acquire these devices. CCK had a clear awareness campaign which involved running advertisements informing Nairobians of this switch over and the need to purchase settop boxes. These media houses found it ideal to refuse to run these advertisements – even though CCK was going to pay for the advertisements. Secondly, It was these media houses that asked that the deadline be moved to December instead of August as CCK had wanted. Instead of supporting their own December date, they rushed to court to make an effort to block the migration. A judge has made a decision and I appreciate that they have a right to the appeal – but what was the need to maliciously deceive Kenyans that they have been switched off? They were transmitting. When DSTV and Zuku took them off their bouquets the game changed abit of course! What is the reason they resumed their broadcast? Did CCK change any terms? If you watched the CS explain his frustrations with these media houses, then you can understand more why we must not allow them to hold us ransom. BTW, it needs to be noted that there are no technical issues around the media houses being able to broadcast digitally. They are all currently technically able to broadcast. Just like they resisted having their print newspaper on the Internet – and were eventually forced to, they will need to understand that Digital Broadcasting is technology they have no choice but to embrace. Regards PS: I wish they were telling CCK, we will comply with Digital broadcast fully right now, but allow us to stay on the analog for another 3 months so that we are available on both analog and digital for that period. That to me would be a slightly reasonable bargaining point. From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces +bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke>] On Behalf Of Ali Hussein Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 1:16 PM To: bkioko@bernsoft.com<mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com> Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling @Wambua Thanks for that information. If that is the case then the media houses are definitely not acting in good faith. I suspect though that there may be an issue of who controls what..which in my opinion is shortsighted. I stand corrected in my assertions then. @ICT Researcher, what in your view is my stand? I'm simply making my personal assertions on this issue. We can of course agree to disagree. Ali Hussein +254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113 "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad On Dec 26, 2013, at 1:03 PM, "Wambua, Christopher" <Wambua@cck.go.ke<mailto:Wambua@cck.go.ke>> wrote: Ali, I know that the government has on a number of occasions offered to offload some shares in Signet to interested media houses. Instead of taking up the offer, the media houses have instead persisted in their clamour to be issued with the third signal distribution licence. Is this insistence in the interest of optimal use of frequency spectrum resources? Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone. From: Ali Hussein Sent: Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:29 PM To: ICT Researcher Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling @ Ohaga, ICT Researcher Lest we forget 1. http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/cck-caught-in-surprise-cabinet-secret... 2. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/KBC-set-for-split-as-State... The issue guys isn't whether the media houses are right or wrong. Digital Migration is a foregone conclusion. The issues is how we make policy in this country on ICT issues. And this is not a reference to the current administration. This is a blanket discussion on the last 15 years to date. Admittedly good things have happened and that is why this country has progressed to where we are. There is a lot to celebrate but there is also a lot to be done. The digital migration ought from the onset (and I say this with a straight face and no shame at all) to have been skewed towards local media houses as a matter of course. In fact the first CIO article I mentioned above (see the link) seemed to have alluded to the fact that the ministry had realized its error and decided to award a 3rd digital license to local media houses...then poof! Something happened again and the decision was rescinded. Ohaga, forgive me for being underwhelmed by the Government's awarding a digital platform license to KBC. No one on this list can deny the fact that KBC is a shadow of itself (if ever it was a whole being). Even its mandate of being the Government's mouthpiece is not being fulfilled. So why waste such a strategically important asset to it? The second article in the business daily alludes to the fact that the AG registered Signet as a separate entity from KBC. That is as it should be. I wonder where that process is at...in fact I will be daring enough to say that Signet should be reconfigured and shares offered to the local media houses so that there is ownership of the local content producers. This is the prudent thing to do. After all why offer a share of Signet to DSTV (which is owned by Naspers of South Africa) and not to other media houses? Lastly I would like to address the issue of policy making and regulation. I'm not a lawyer but a simple explanation:- The policy maker decides what the regulations should be and passes the laws implementing the regulations. The government regulator enforces those regulations. This issue has been addressed before by different listers on the list. I humbly submit that the lines here are very blurred in government as to who shapes policy and who regulates. I think its time someone took the bull by its horns and does what needs to be done. Ali Hussein +254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113 "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad On Dec 26, 2013, at 11:03 AM, ICT Researcher <ict.researcher@yahoo.com<mailto:ict.researcher@yahoo.com>> wrote: i.e. one fails to understand what new arguement is, beyond all those dealt with on judgement at: http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/93274/ Commeding Kenyalaw.org<http://Kenyalaw.org> people for opening up court decisions to the public, without which we used to argue on third parties' opinions, views, hearsy, innuendos etc... ------------------------------ On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 8:38 AM MSK ICT Researcher wrote: -2 @Ali -1 @Ngigi -1 ------------------------------- On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 12:04 AM MSK S.M. Muraya wrote: +1 @Ali +1 @Ngigi +1 Regards Murigi / Stanley Muraya *"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." Prov 16:32* On Wed, Dec 25, 2013 at 10:27 AM, Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi@at.co.ke<mailto:ngigi@at.co.ke>> wrote: This is the same corruption issues disguised as 'competitive' tender... Look at it this way, you want Kenya's airwaves to be digital. On one hand you get a national parastatal which performs below average on the other hand a foreign company. We all know KBC wouldn't perform, so we will have our key national broadcast handled by a foreign firm. If some guy in China pushes a certain button, we could get a complete news blackout. Is that not a serious security risk that ought to have mitigated against during the bid requirements stage? Now my hypothesis, the Chinese got this since the ones handling the tender could not get kickbacks from either KBC nor from the Kenyan consortium that generally operates in an industry where they dont have to pay kickbacks. With the incoming new government the ones handling the tender, had to line their pockets quick. Damn national interests! But, we are where we are and them TV stations have been down for a number of days, interestlingly enough I havent noticed! Merry Xmas. Waithaka Ngigi Alliance Technologies Nairobi, Kenya www.A1.io<http://www.A1.io> On 25 Dec 2013 07:32, "Ali Hussein" <ali@hussein.me.ke<mailto:ali@hussein.me.ke>> wrote: Wambua The issue I raise is beyond 'competitive bidding issues'. Try owning digital signals in China, US or Europe if you are a foreign company. Why is it that we think that 'free markets' are only 'free' when African countries are involved? History is littered with local protectionism for certain industries. In fact China and Japan are the biggest examples of this. Way do we see it fit to just give away our Crown Jewels in the guise of free and competitive bidding? I understand that this may be beyond CCK's pay grade and should actually be addressed to policy makers... Ali Hussein +254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113 "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein Sent from my iPad On Dec 24, 2013, at 6:41 PM, Bernard Kioko <bkioko@bernsoft.com<mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com>> wrote: They can't share or come out like he just did. Theirs is not based on honesty and valid reasons. The use of court is so they can hide behind legal technicalities. The CS said he has been available for dialog but they go chest thumb and threatening. If they had any previous effort towards educating consumer they would hold moral authority in my space. Refusing to air paid adverts by cck....I say very irresponsible. sad though. On 24 Dec 2013 18:35, "Walubengo J" <jwalu@yahoo.com<mailto:jwalu@yahoo.com>> wrote: @Wambua jst seen the CS breathing fire on K24 on this matter. It looks like this fight is moving from the courts into the public space. It sounds like its going to be looong and bloody. Ave heard from the Govt side, I wonder what the Media house side is...they are all here on KICTAnet and I wish they would freely share their view -outside the constraints of a court case. One good outcome of the blackout from NTV, KTN and Citizen is the discovery of KBC and KT24...had forgotten they exist :-) walu. ------------------------------ On Tue, Dec 24, 2013 4:39 PM AST (Arabian) Wambua, Christopher wrote: Bernard, CCK has not issued a third licence for digital signal distribution. Christopher Wambua Manager - Communications Consumer and Public Affairs Department Communications Commission of Kenya P.O. Box 14448 NAIROBI 00800 Tel: +254 20 4242209 info@cck.go.ke<mailto:info@cck.go.ke><mailto:info@cck.go.ke> www.cck.go.ke<http://www.cck.go.ke><http://www.cck.go.ke> From: Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group] [mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 4:35 PM To: Wambua, Christopher Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions' Subject: RE: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling Christopher, I am an ardent supporter of the migration but I need to ask. Have you issued any 3rd license to anyone? Regards From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+bkioko= bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke>]<mailto:[mailto: kictanet-bounces +bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:bkioko=bernsoft.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke>]> On Behalf Of Wambua, Christopher Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:54 PM To: bkioko@bernsoft.com<mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com><mailto:bkioko@bernsoft.com> Cc: Consumer and Public Affairs; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling Importance: High You will recall that the 2nd licence for digital broadcasting signal distribution was issued out competitively through an open tender. Some of the local media houses expressed interest in the tender but lost out to the licence by the Pan-Africa Network Group in an open and transparent tendering process. They subsequently lodged an appeal to the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) which was dismissed as lacking any merit. The two firms have set up digital platforms in Nairobi and other major towns in country to support the migration from analogue to digital TV broadcasting. The issue of awarding the licences to a Chinese firm and a subsidiary of a firm on its deathbed is therefore a non-issue. Best regards Christopher Wambua Manager - Communications Consumer and Public Affairs Department Communications Commission of Kenya P.O. Box 14448 NAIROBI 00800 Tel: +254 20 4242209 info@cck.go.ke<mailto:info@cck.go.ke><mailto:info@cck.go.ke> www.cck.go.ke<http://www.cck.go.ke><http://www.cck.go.ke> From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+wambua= cck.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:cck.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke>] On Behalf Of Kivuva Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:25 PM To: Wambua, Christopher Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling On 23 December 2013 19:01, Ali Hussein <ali@hussein.me.ke<mailto:ali@hussein.me.ke><mailto: ali@hussein.me.ke<mailto:ali@hussein.me.ke>> wrote: Brinkmanship. To be fair though I can't help thinking how skewed we are as a country that the two digital signals are:- 1. Controlled by a Chinese company 2. Controlled by a defunct media company that is at its death bed.. +1 Ali Capital flight is a KILLER of any economy. Where have we go we wrong? Ali Hussein +254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113 "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world < ... [Message clipped] _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/arebacollins%40gmail.c... The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. 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The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. -- . . ___. .__ Posix Systems - (South) Africa /| /| / /__ mje@posix.co.za<mailto:mje@posix.co.za> - Mark J Elkins, Cisco CCIE / |/ |ARK \_/ /__ LKINS Tel: +27 12 807 0590 Cell: +27 82 601 0496 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ict.researcher%40yahoo... 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KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
We had proposed a TEAMs model where the private sector held majority share. It is not possible even with private investors to recover the investment without massive content to optimally utilize the resources. That is why DSTV is critical at the moment. KBC owns 40% of DSTV. Ndemo.
Ali,
I am not privy to the percentages that were on offer. The government is best placed to respond to this.
Wambua
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
From: Ali Hussein Sent: Friday, 27 December 2013 12:54 PM To: Wambua, Christopher Cc: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke Subject: Re: [kictanet] 3 Media houses protest Majanja's Digital Migration Ruling
ICT Researcher
We don't leave in a utopian world..He who pays the piper calls the tune.
At the risk of belaboring the point it is a competitive issue that has to be addressed. In fact we are already seeing trends of content providers and infrastructure owners morphing into one:-
1. Google is busy laying fibre/buying fibre across the world 2. Facebook is doing the same 3. Zuku is a triple play player - owning the infrastructure and at the same time involved heavily in content creation and distribution 4. Safaricom is moving the same way. 5. Infact all across the world we are seeing the convergence of content and infrastructure.
This is partly due to competitive pressures and at the same time an answer to policy, regulatory and legislative pressures.
By the way one of the key bones of contention at WCIT12 in Dubai was the principle of whether content providers should pay telcos to carry their content.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/02/14/should-content-providers-p...
The point is that there is no simple answer to this.
@Wambua - lastly I'm really curious as to what shareholder (percentage terms) was offered to the media Owners in Signet. And whether the Media owners are just Wagging the dog and distracting from the real issues or it is the Government that is Wagging the dog.
Bottom-line? There has been too much brinkmanship on both sides and its time to sit down and sort these issues out for the betterment of the country.
Ali Hussein
+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601
Hussein, In less than 10 years, there will be no Signet or Pang. Already much of the digital content from the two is carried over fibre (NOFBI). There is no business case for a separate infrastructure when we have multiple infrastructure around MNOs. We shall not need set top boxes beyond next year. Much of the content will be on mobile and internet. All you need is your lap top and projector for most of the content. We should not invest in where there is no business case. The opportunities lie in content development, distribution, and aggregation. Self provisioning license (what media wants) is usually given to large content aggregators (in South Africa they gave to DSTV because it can sustain a business case). If for some reason CCK issues a license to non content aggregators, you will end up in a fix with new broadcasters failing to enter the market. The resource (spectrum) in a case where there is no aggregation will not be optimally used. In the worst case scenario, the payback period for the new investment may be infinity. The policy however is to encourage infrastructure sharing especially in this era of rapid technological changes. Remember we moved from DVBT to DVBT2 with a year even before people realized that we are moving to digital. The digital reality has not sunk in yet. As we move, the broadcast standards are changing and soon media houses have to move their cameras from Standard Definition SD to High Definition HD to Blu - Ray Disc. They can choose not to move but most of the content already is in HD. If I were a broadcaster, I would rather invest in content that the viewers will want in the next few years. It is like trying to invest in a record player when everybody who matters has a CD player. Let us try see a head and identify opportunities that can take us far. Ndemo.
ICT Researcher
We don't leave in a utopian world..He who pays the piper calls the tune.
At the risk of belaboring the point it is a competitive issue that has to be addressed. In fact we are already seeing trends of content providers and infrastructure owners morphing into one:-
1. Google is busy laying fibre/buying fibre across the world 2. Facebook is doing the same 3. Zuku is a triple play player - owning the infrastructure and at the same time involved heavily in content creation and distribution 4. Safaricom is moving the same way. 5. Infact all
participants (4)
-
Ali Hussein -
Bitange Ndemo -
ICT Researcher -
Wambua, Christopher