(A) Migration Process
Contents
1. e Over time interactive television services and data casting services including selected Internet services home shopping computer games etc will be provided by broadcasters and data casters What are the advantages of using DVB T2 over DVB T With DVB T2 it is possible to have 50 more programme channels in one TV frequency as compared to DVB T It also offers the flexibility to simultaneously accommodate on the same digital platform high definition TV standard definition TV mobile TV and digital audio D Set Top Boxes 1 What is a set top box It s a receiver that decodes or converts the digital signal to analogue to enable the channels to be displayed on your analogue TV set This set top box is plugged into your TV set The DTT set top box also referred to as a decoder or converter box is however not the same as the existing satellite or terrestrial based pay TV service decoders Analogue television sets cannot display digital transmissions on their screens without being connected to such a set top box converter 2 What does a set top box do A set top box receives the digital TV signal captured over the air by the aerial and converts the digital signal into a format that can be understood and displayed by an analogue TV The features of a set top box are usually dependant on its specifications 3 Why do I need a set top box It is the device that decodes the digital signal received via UHF aerial or antenna and sup2. digital 13 What differentiates a TV receiver is the type of tuner it has Almost all TV receivers in the country have analogue tuners PAL B or G A digital TV has a digital tuner and cannot receive TV programmes broadcast in analogue format If you are currently receiving the local free to air TV channels on your current TV without using a Set Top Box then it means your TV tuner is analogue because the local TV stations are currently transmitting in analogue format You can also consult your TV user manual and if you need further assistance to determine the type of tuner your TV has consult the secretariat e Do I still need to use my TV aerial when I acquire a set top box Yes you still need an aerial in order to be able to capture the digital TV signal in the air The set top box is not a replacement for the TV aerial The cable from the aerial will need to be plucked into the set top box for it to receive the DTT signal Since DTT will be rolled out in the UHF band viewers who have been using VHF TV aerial will need to acquire a UHF aerial and point it in the direction of the DTT transmitter in order to obtain a clear signal Information shall be provided on continual basis regarding which direction viewers in particular areas need to point their aerials in order to receive good signal as the service becomes available in those areas G Consumers 1 What would you say is the level of awareness among ordinary folks and are there
3. ensure that all parts of the country and Kenyans are adequately educated 15
4. have a choice to select more information related to the regular program product information recipes news background and much more In addition if a sports event overlaps with news digital viewers may be offered the opportunity to watch the regularly scheduled news bulletin or the completion of the event on a separate channel 15 What is Datacasting Because a digital signal can carry much more data than an analogue signal the extra capacity can be used by broadcast service providers to provide other information services to viewers in addition to regular program channels This is known as datacasting 16 Can I use my DSTV dish to receive digital transmission No DSTV dish can only receive satellite transmission You need a UHF aerial to receive the digital terrestrial TV transmission 17 Will my old multichoice analogue decoder work with this technology Will my existing boosted aerial still work Your old multichoice decoder will not work with this new technology because it is a satellite decoder for satellite reception What you need is a DVB T2 MPEG4 set top box to receive the new digital TV signal If you already have a UHF TV antenna all you need is to point it towards the transmitting site i e Limuru in the case of Nairobi 18 As we migrate to digital TV is there new technology to access programmes via a password code to restrict or block viewing nudity and indecency in my house using the TV remote control The tech
5. plans for campaigns to further entrench the idea among all Kenyans The Commission has continued to run adverts under the Digital Kenya banner in the print media educating the public regarding migration to digital broadcasting since mid last year This is expected to continue until the country is fully migrated The Commission will continue to set a budget for consumer education and awareness campaigns as the digital broadcasting services are rolled out The Commission has provided contacts to which enquiries regarding digital broadcasting are forwarded to The Commission receives many enquiries by telephone email or face to face visits and addresses all the enquiries promptly our response to your question demonstrates this commitment to educate the media and ordinary Kenyans regarding migration to digital broadcasting 14 A secretariat housed at CCK is operational to specifically deal with consumer queries regarding digital broadcasting and can be reached through its website digitalkenya cck go ke A major consumer education through print electronic media road shows etc is to be launched to run in tandem with rollout of the digital platform The necessary budgets have been secured and campaigns will commence once other related logistics are finalized You will agree with us that increased campaigns can only be effective if they are synchronized with the pace of digital network rollout Again this will be a CCK annual commitment to
6. top box to buy Set top boxes also have RF modulator output port which then can be used to connect to the TV RF in 9 Do I need to pay monthly subscriptions with my set top box to watch programmes No you don t have to pay monthly subscriptions to watch Free to Air programmes Subscription is necessary when accessing pay channels 10 Are there set top box in the market and if so where Yes there are DVB T set top boxes in the local market particularly some supermarkets and electronics shops in Nairobi However note that DVB T standard was used for the pilot phase will only be usable in Nairobi till 2012 Going forward Kenya has adopted the enhance DVB T2 standard Any new transmitters being rolled out will be on DVB T2 technology hence you need to purchase a DVB T2 MPEG 4 STB to avoid interruption after 2012 11 I recently purchased an LCD Sony Bravia TV having the idea it was a digital one However CCK said that digital TVs are not yet in Kenya So from which outlet can I purchase the decoder converter at what price including installation Most TV sets currently in the local market are analogue TV but can be digital enabled by a set top box The said Sony Bravia has analogue TV tuner and not digital tuner Note that the digital signal is only available for now in Nairobi and environs Other parts of the country will be covered gradually in subsequent phases of digital rollout Prices are largely dictated by market forces and are
7. Frequently Asked Questions FAQs on digital migration Collated categories A Migration Process B Migration Technology C Digital Benefits D Set Top Boxes E Infrastructure Rollout F Signal Reception and G Consumers A Migration Process 1 Why must Kenya migrate The Regional Radio Conference RRC meeting of 2006 set 17 June 2015 as the deadline for all countries in the planning area comprising of Africa Europe Russia and Iran to migrate to digital terrestrial broadcasting technologies It is therefore mandatory for all countries in the said planning areato migrate to digital terrestrial television broadcasting technology 2 What is the timetable for the migration in Kenya The migration is expected to take a minimum of three 3 years During the migration period viewers are able to receive the current analogue TV broadcasts However viewers without digital set top boxes or integrated digital TVs idTV will be unable to receive any new digital channels or services broadcast on the digital platform The process of switching off the analogue signal in Kenya is expected to be completed by end of 2012 After that viewers will need to have DTT set top boxes or idTVs to receive free to air terrestrial television services Kenya Broadcasting Corporation KBC TV is conducting a trial to test the new DTT services and technology This trial begun in October 2009 3 Must I wait until 2012 to switch to digital TV N
8. Terrestrial Television DTT Digital broadcasting is the conversion of sound video and text into digital data and subsequent the transmission of the digitized data over television channels or assigned radio frequency bands for reception by the public Sound video and text are processed electronically and converted into digital format This format is then transmitted and reconverted by appropriate receivers or set top boxes into sound text and video for display on TV set Terrestrial denotes television broadcast using equipment situated on the ground rather than by satellite 3 What is the difference between analogue TV and Digital TV Analogue and digital television differ in the way the information is carried from the source to the receiver In simple terms in analogue broadcasting the signal is in the form of a continuous wave whereas digital is in the form of discrete bits of information In digital the signal is encoded and can be compressed to allow for more channels to be broadcast For instance eight 8 new standard definition TV SDTV programmes can be provided in the same frequency channel as one analogue TV channel 4 Will I need to buy a new TV to receive DTT No you do not need to buy a new TV if you already have an analogue TV However you will need to buy a digital set top box that complies with DVB T2 transmission technology and MPEG 4 compression format Current TV sets should be able to receive DTT using the set top b
9. as adopted the DVBT 2 standard that has immense advantages over the DVB T standard The standard will be used in the countrywide roll out 2 If I stay in say Mombasa or Kisumu can I receive digital signals When will other areas outside Nairobi be covered 12 The digital signal is currently only covering Nairobi and its environs in this first phase Digital broadcasting infrastructure rollout shall be done in phases Other main cities including Mombasa and Kisumu shall be covered in the next phase The implementation of digital broadcasting infrastructure countrywide will require a lot of capital investment Information regarding specific timeframes of implementation will be made available once the implementation plan is concluded F Signal Reception e I have connected my set top box but I can only receive sound and a picture that freezes then disappears what could be the problem The level of the digital signal you are receiving is very low You may need to improve your aerial system by using a booster or increasing the height of the aerial and ensuring it is pointing in the correct direction where the digital signal is being transmitted from e Ihave a DTV card PC and I am able to receive 16 channels They are however not displaying the right channel Are all the channels on board EATN CNBC STV Classic and Kiss Yes it is true that the digital TV signal that you are receiving using your PC card is not correctly displaying the
10. channel names harmonized with the content displayed The naming of the channels is correct as those positions are reserved for the said broadcasters However due to the fact that at the time of launch of the digital signal some of the existing TV stations had not finalized the linking of their studio signals to the multiplexing facility at KBC the channels have been filled with content of other stations that had managed to link to this facility For instance NTV content appears on several channels not labeled NTV As soon as all the media houses avail their signal to the multiplex platform the content shall be aligned accordingly the stop gap measure has been taken to avoid having blank channels which may be annoying to some viewers e I have connected my set top box to the TV set as recommended but there is no signal at all We provide some tips below that can assist in trouble shooting However it is recommended that you consult the user manual of the set top box Ensure there is communication between your set top box and the TV set by selecting the AV mode e Ensure that your outdoor aerial is well connected and preferably installed on the rooftop and pointing in the direction of the digital transmission tower e Ensure both the TV set and the set top box are powered e Try changing the position of the aerial especially if there is obstruction between the aerial and the digital transmission site e How Can I know if my current TV is analogue or
11. e are aware of the coupon system that was used in USA However for our case in Kenya the coupon system will not be used because of the budgetary challenges the government is currently facing Instead the government is studying other proposals which if implemented will result in affordable prices of set top boxes 7 With the new technology will I be required to pay monthly subscriptions The digital technology supports both free to air and subscription pay TV You will therefore not be required to pay any monthly subscriptions unless you choose to subscribe to the pay tv option 8 Are the current broadcasters local broadcasting on the platform The existing TV broadcasters signal was broadcast on the digital platform in Nairobi and environs from the December 2009 until December 2010 when they pulled out their programmes from the platform in protest against the KBC s accommodation of a new broadcaster on the platform The matter is now pending in the High court B Migration Technology 1 What is migration from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting Migration from analogue to digital broadcasting refers the process in which the analogue TV broadcasting services are converted to and replaced by digital television broadcasting At the end of migration usually carried over a specified period the analogue broadcasting services are eventually broadcast in digital format while the analogue transmitters are switched off 2 What is Digital
12. gital tuner 7 Will consumers need to buy a new antenna satellite dish or cabling To receive DTT one needs a UHF antenna Satellite dishes are not required In the majority of cases existing UHF antennas currently used to receive analogue TV will be adequate to receive digital television transmissions so long as they are maintained in good condition and are properly installed They work better if installed on the rooftop where there is limited obstruction The aerial should be oriented in the general direction of the digital TV transmitter tower 8 Are digital TV sets in the market and where I can buy one Integrated digital TVs may not be readily available in the local market at the moment but vendors may start stocking them if there is a business case for them They are however are available in other parts of the world such as in Europe but tend to be more expensive as compared to analogue TVs If you already have an existing analogue TV you do not need to buy another new TV specifically for reception of the new digital signal All you need is a set top box The CCK will endeavour to make information available on its website regarding outlets which stock such products in Kenya once such information becomes available 9 What is Standard Definition television SDTV Standard Definition television SDTV is a television whose display has a vertical and horizontal resolution of 640 x 480 NTSC or 768 x 576 PAL The aspect ratio of SDTV
13. he relevant software otherwise if you have to continue using your current analogue TV card then you will need to have a set top box as well to convert the digital signal into analogue for your card to understand in order to receive the digital signal on your computer 21 Can I view both DSTV programs and Digital signals on the same TV set Yes but not at the same time To view DSTV programmes on your TV set you must first have a valid subscription a DSTV satellite dish and a DSTV decoder duly installed In the case of DTT you should have a DVB T2 MPEG 4 digital set top box and a UHF TV aerial 22 What is DVB T2 DVBT 2 is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting Second Generation Terrestrial It is the enhancement of the television standard DVB T used for the digital TV broadcast transmission This system transmits compressed digital audio video and other data With higher bit rate offered compared to its predecessor DVB T it is a suitable system for carrying more SDTV HDTV mobile TV and other multimedia signals on the terrestrial TV channel It is currently deployed in UK Free view HD four channels Italy Europe 7 HD twelve channels and since November 1 2010 in Sweden five channels C Digital Benefits What are the advantages of Digital Broadcasting Digital television is a far more efficient and flexible transmission system than the current analogue system It allows broadcasters to offer viewers a range of
14. in over an issue which they have taken to court The case is still ongoing and once resolved the broadcasters are expected to provide their broadcast signals to the digital platform again Migration funding e Digital migration in Kenya was initially planned to be fully funded by government This was evidenced by the funding provided for the pilot phase as well as the operations costs of running the existing digital platform However the government has continued to encounter challenges to fund the migration process due to funds re allocation especially when the country faces emergencies such as drought etc that require priority funding In order to mitigate the funding challenges the government is exploring other options 11 that would fast track the infrastructure rollout in view of uncertainty of anticipated funding from government These include PPP arrangement for private sector to invest in SIGNET and the revision of the Policy to allow for licensing of other broadcast signal distributors These measures are expected to bring the digital migration back on track Regulations gazetted The Kenya Communications Broadcasting Regulations 2009 have been gazetted The CCK is finalizing a framework for regulation and licensing of broadcasting services Once the framework is finalized the Commission will implement the same paving way for licensing of more broadcasters to be accommodated on the digital platform Standardization of STBs Wi
15. is either 4 3 or 16 9 10 What is a High Definition television HDTV High Definition Television HDTV is a television whose display resolution is higher than that of standard definition TV offering high picture resolution and enhanced sound quality There are 2 high definition resolutions in use 1280 x 720 720p and 1920 x 1080 1080i and 1080p A Full HD 1080p display refers to a display with native resolution of 1920 x 1080 11 How does the quality of SDTV compare to HDTV 12 HDTV provides a sharper and more detailed picture video than SDTV because in HDTV more lines and pixels are used to scan the picture These make the picture look sharper and more detailed to a viewer However perceptions of quality as seen by the viewer may be affected by other factors besides picture sharpness 13 What is Multichannelling Because a digital signal can carry much more data than an analogue signal more than one channel of television programs can be broadcast at the same time This is known as multichannelling 14 What are program enhancements Viewers of digital television will have a wide choice of enhancements to regular programming Enhancements are separate channels of video data or audio which are related to the program on the primary channel Sporting events will offer the choice of different camera angles action replays player profiles or other information Across a range of programming digital viewers will
16. new and different services Digital television features can include e Much improved reception capability including the elimination of ghosting and other transmission errors e A 16x 9 aspect ratio or screen shape This is also known as widescreen It is similar to the aspect ratio that is widely used in the cinema Standard Definition Television SDTV High Definition Television HDTV High quality audio Electronic Program Guides EPGs A basic EPG can be used by viewers to navigate between channels identify the currently screening programme and the next programmme 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 e Multichannel programs e Radio programs e Program enhancements on separate channels to the primary program e g additional camera angles on a sports match statistics about a player or additional information about a segment in a lifestyle or magazine program e Broadcasters will be allowed to broadcast more than one channel when certain events such as sporting matches extend beyond time due to circumstances beyond the broadcasters control and overlap a regularly scheduled news program This will allow viewers the option of continuing to watch the end of the event or the news bulletin
17. nology being introduced has the capability for one to maneuver around the programs you want to watch by using an interface called conditional access However conditional access will not apply on free to air channels However some of the features of set top boxes include parental control in which case certin channels can be programmed to be accessible only by inputting a password using the remote control Regarding the issue of inappropriate content the CCK will issue aprogramming code for broadcasters which upon gazetement shall be the basis of content regulation Once in force free to air broadcasters will have to adhere to its provisions and action will be taken against those flouting the code 19 How many TV channels can I receive with my set top box Your set top box should receive all the free to air and subscription channels being transmitted in your locality either byKBC SIGNET or by other broadcast signal distributors who may commence services in the area However access to subscription channels shall be limited to consumers who have subscribed to the pay TV service 20 Should someone using a computer with TV card buy a set top box Please explain If you are using a TV card to receive programmes from the existing TV stations it means that the TV card has an analogue TV tuner In this regard you will not be able to receive the digital signal on your computer What you need then is a DVB T2 MPEG4 TV tuner card together with t
18. not fixed by the CCK Some outlets currently stock the previously type approved DVB T set top boxes at prices ranging between Sh5 000 and Sh10 000 depending on the type of STB You do not need to pay someone to do an installation Setting up a set top box is a simple process similar to DVD player Just follow the instructions given in the user manual and enjoy digital services When purchasing a set top box or idTV it is your responsibility to confirm it is DVB T2 MPEG4 compliant 12 Can my plasma digital screen receive the digital signal without the set top box No unless the plasma is an integrated TV receiver has an inbuilt digital decoder that is DVB T2 13 Is there limitation on the age of the analogue TV that can be used with the set top box The age of the analogue TV is not a factor So long as your TV has AV input you should use it with a set top box You can also use the RF output of the STB to connect to the RF IN of the TV More importantly follow your user manual instructions which are simple to implement 14 If I have an integrated TV set or a set top box from say America or Japan will it work with the platform No It will not work The Kenyan platform is a DVB T2 system The ITV from America is ATSC system while the Japanese one is ISDBT system We don t have multisystem Digital TVs or STBs yet 15 Are DVB T2 set top boxes available in the market and where can I find them There may be DVBT 2 set top boxes
19. o You do not need to wait until 2012 to switch to digital TV If you are in an area that is currently covered by the digital signal like Nairobi and its environs all you need is to purchase a DVB T2 MPEG 4 set top box which you will connect to your existing analogue TV This set top box will therefore enable you to receive digital broadcast on your existing analogue TV using your existing UHF aerial 2012 has been set as the analogue switchover date This means that broadcasters will shut down their analogue TV transmitters and only digital TV signal will be available thereafter In that case if by then you will not have acquired a set top box or an integrated digital TV you will then not be able to receive digital TV service analogue TV will also not be available 4 Are we on track to meeting the 2012 deadline Yes we are on track to meeting the 2012 deadline The government will keep the public updated including information on any changes that may arise with respect to the deadline 5 But with the change in technology to DVB T2 set top boxes are we still on target to fully migrate the country to Digital broadcasting Yes we believe we will meet the national deadline of 2012 long before the global deadline of 2015 In the event circumstances necessitate extension of the national analogue switchover deadline the public shall be adequately informed 6 Will Kenya implement a coupon system as they did in the U S to subsidize the cost W
20. only specifies the minimum specifications for the DVB T2 set top box which can be downloaded from the CCK website www cck go ke E Infrastructure Roll out 1 Evaluating what has taken place in the last couple of months since the launch of the platform what are the milestones made so far Pilot phase In December 2009 the pilot phase of the digital television broadcasting was launched in Nairobi The phase was meant to be a test case during which important lessons are learnt and necessary adjustments made in all aspects in readiness for the real migration This was also meant to give an opportunity for Kenyans to sample the features of digital terrestrial TV broadcasting before full migration kicks off So far the following milestones have been achieved Role of DTC Secretariat e The Digital Transition Committee DTC continues to meet and deliberate issues related to the next phase of rollout A DTC Secretariat is now fully functional In addition to providing the DTC with technical and logistical support it also responds to enquiries from Kenyans on various aspects of the migration process and can be reached though its email address digitalkenya cck go ke Broadcasters on the platform e A number of broadcasters have been hooked up on the digital platform for purposes of test transmission of the digital signal and the functioning of the digital infrastructure installed in Nairobi They pulled out of the platform in December 2010
21. oxes Your TV must have audio and video inputs A V or alternatively RF input so that your set to box can be plugged into your TV With this you should be able to use your current TV set You do not need a High Definition HD TV LCD TV or Plasma TV to receive DTT In countries which began migrating to digital broadcasting years back such as in Europe integrated digital television receivers or idTVs TVs with inbuilt digital tuners are readily available in their markets However these idTVs may not be available in Kenya at the moment but will gradually become available locally once digital terrestrial broadcasting takes root in Kenya It is also important to note that generally the price of idTV tend to be higher than that of a STB 5 What equipment will be required to receive digital television You either need a integrated Digital Television which has an inbuilt digital tuner together with a UHF aerial or an analogue TV set together with a digital set top box and a UHF aerial 6 What is an integrated digital television receiver idTV This is a television set which contains all the components necessary to receive and display digital transmissions Integrated digital television receivers have inbuilt digital TV tuners for our case DVB T2 and hence does not require digital set top box Consumers should be careful not to be duped by vendors in believing that wide screen TVs are idTVs You must confirm that it indeed has an inbuilt di
22. plies the TV set with the video signal Without the set top box you will be unable to display the digital TV services on your analogue TV set 4 What are the specifications for the right set top box The platform for analogue to digital TV migration that has been adopted in Kenya is DVB T2 MPEG 4 Details of minimum specifications for a compliant set top box are available on the CCK website www cck go ke about digital_kenya index html 5 Do I need an outdoor aerial for my set top box to receive digital signals Yes You need a UHF aerial facing the direction of the digital transmitter tower Limuru for those in Nairobi and its environs 6 If I have two TV sets can I connect my set top box so that each receives its own digital TV Channel No You cannot use one set top box to receive more than one program at a time Each TV set requires a set top box However there could be some products that could be available in the market that enables the splitting the signal which can then facilitate sharing 7 Can my set top box receive DSTV programmes No The set top box only receives TV programmes transmitted from the digital terrestrial transmitters DSTV programmes are received from satellite hence you need a DSTV decoder and satellite dish 8 How do I connect my set top box to the TV set if my TV does not have AV terminals Before buying a set top box you need to know what type of inputs your TV supports so as to know the type of set
23. th regard to standardization of set top boxes CCK is collaborating with KEBs and the process of gazetting national standard by KEBs is at an advanced stage In addition the CCK continues to license vendors of set top boxes and also type approves accepts set top boxes which are compliant with the issued specifications Regional harmonization of migration The CCK continues to play an active role at the East Africa regional level where the 5 EAC countries have agreed to harmonise issues related to migration to digital broadcasting The common meetings continue to address salient issues identified for harmonization in this regard Zero rating STBs and other equipment Follow ups are being made to the Finance Ministry by the DTC and the Ministry of Information amp Communications with respect to removal of taxes on set top boxes and digital broadcasting equipment beginning next financial year This will ensure set top boxes are readily available at very low prices that will be affordable by ordinary Kenyans Licensing other digital signal distributors The government has reviewed its policy that now provides for the licensing of other broadcast signal distributors to compete with KBC s subsidiary SIGNET Tenders for Expression of Interest for signal distributors have already been evaluated paving way for next stage of tendering The CCK is expected to finalise the licensing process before the end of 2011 Adopting the DVB T2 standard The country h
24. that may have been imported since the government upgraded the technology but CCK has not yet type approved any of the imports for sale in the market We hope that entrepreneurs will take up the opportunity and import them and seek type approval from CCK before selling them to consumers 16 What do I do with my current set top box that is on DVB T Your current DVB T set top box will only be usable in Nairobi and environs till 2012 since the existing DVB T digital platform used in pilot phase shall be maintained during the simulcast period After 2012 the DVB T platform will be upgraded to DVB T2 hence you will need to purchase a DVB T2 MPEG 4 set top box to continue receiving digital TV programmes 17 Is there a compensation plan for the traders or consumers who have already purchased the DVBT set top boxes There s no compensation plan as the government has given adequate notice The change to DVB T2 is a technological advancement hence compensation not applicable What is the price of a DVB T2 set top box 10 The price should range between Ksh5 000 and Ksh10 000 depending on the set top box brand The price will be determined by market forces It is important to ask the vendor for his authorization and type approval certificate issued by CCK 18 Which is the preferred brand of set top box The market forces will determine the best brand Also your preference on the services you enjoy will determine your set top box choice The CCK
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