Digital Television Migration in Kenya (Essay Sample)

Digital Television Migration in Kenya
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Digital Television Migration in Kenya
Introduction
107th Congress, 2nd Session paper indicate that for a long period of time, television stations have only used the analogue network to raise their signals. With innovation, emergent of digital broadcasting have provided greater efficiency in utilizing the Kenyans electromagnetic spectrum, making it viable enough for Kenyans switch from analogue to digital (Flint, 2001). This process of electronically transforming to digital services is viewed to provide a greater positive impact on the Kenyan development in all aspects from social, political, and religious context (Rao, 2012).
Purpose
This paper is to provide critical analysis on the preliminary stages, current situation of development of the digital migration, its implication on technology arena, and various obstacles facing its development of this noble technology. The Digital Television Migration in Kenya
Research also explores extensively on the various strategies of exploring the digital migration in Kenya.
Basis of Research
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) agreement almost all countries are scheduled to reach the digital standard by June 17, 2015. Relevant reports indicate that in Africa only Mauritius had completely embraced the practice to provide its citizens with the digital benefits (Samuel, 2009). Kenya being the center for East and central Africa development projects, has launched its ambition to meet the digital target of 2015 According to the Kenyans information technology secretary, this technology will provide a universal access to the basic digital and internet information to millions of Kenyans (Samuel, 2009).
Pro: Digital Migration in Kenya
The digital migration is expected to provide enormous benefits to all Kenyans. The benefits include; efficient utilization of the spectrum, studies indicate that digital signals usually takes relatively less bandwidth as opposed to analogue signals, this will enable the country to constructively use the extra spectrum to run other mobile industries (Great Britain, 2009; Media Development and Diversity Bill, 2002). Second advantage is quality television, digital network usually provide a superior television interface, improved picture, and better sound signals (Media bill, 2002). The digital migration is also expected to provide an opportunity for introduction of relatively higher televisions versions which could not be introduced by the analogue versions (Great Britain, 2009). Moreover, the digital migration in Kenya is expected to provide a host of several business opportunities for the ICT sector in the country thus improve the business models in the country (FCC, 2007). Finally, the digital migration will enormously improve the social and educational background of majority of Kenyans as it will open the world arena to all Kenyans (Samuel, 2009).
Challenges to the Adoption of the Digital Television Technology
It is evidently clear that Kenya missed to meat the deadline that was initially set in June 2012 to meet the installation of the digital television. AfriMAP, OSIEA, OSMP and UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology 2006, reports indicate that the transformation is coupled with the several challenges, first is the relatively high cost of digital decoder boxes required to set the station. Second is the financially weak broadcast station which cannot manage to air for the citizens channels using their own licenses and lastly is the political interference that have misguided the migration agenda(UK DCMSBPD, 2006).
Conclusion
For Kenya to achieve the use of digital television in 2015, several strategies must be in place. These includes; campaigning to raise public awareness on the benefits of digital television migration, preparer a proper plan before migration and set up a strong technological man-power to carry out the installation exercise.
References
107th Congress, 2nd Session, ‘Consumer Broadband, and Digital Television Promotion
Bill’ [Accessed on 9 Nov 2013 from /docs/cbdtpa/
hollings.s2048.032102.htm
AfriMAP, OSIEA, OSMP Kenya broadcasting survey report [Accessed on 9 Nov 2013
From books.google.com/books?isbn=1920489207
HYPERLINK "/search?sa=G&tbm=bks&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22Great+Britain:+Parliament:+House+of+Lords:+Select+Committee+on+Communications%22&ei=FDV-UrbdBOeQ7AaExoHADA&ved=0CE8Q9AgwBg&biw=1280&bih=885&dpr=1"Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Select Committee on CommunicationsHYPER15
(2009) ‎ Digital switchover of television and radio in the United Kingdom: 2nd
Report... [Accessed on 9 Nov 2013 from books.google.com/books?isbn=0108459780
Flint, D, (2001) ‘Opening the Door to the Digital Era - Regulating Australia’s
Broadcast and New Media Industry of the Future&r...