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China-Africa Trade Information Service
info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
Photo by startimes.co.ke
StarTimes Media is a well-recognized pay TV provider with over 9 million subscribers worldwide, founded in 1988 with headquarters in Beijing.On Wednesday, StarTimes launched a satellite digital television project in Kenya as part of its long-term agenda to bridge rural-urban information gap in the East African nation.
StarTimes officially launched its business in Kenya in July, 2012. They expect to invest over USD 75 million toward the achievement of a 100% network cover across the country, in its quest to make digital television a reality in Kenya. Currently, their signal is already on air in: Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret, Nyeri, Kakamega, Kisii, Nyahururu, Kericho, Bungoma, Meru, Nakuru, Narok, Malindi and Webuye.
According to StarTimes, the southwestern Kenyan county of Kajiado will pilot the project that has given over 120 households in Saina Village free access to the StarTimes digital television service. The project will seek to benefit over 30 percent of Kenyans living in areas with limited or no access to the digital terrestrial signal.
In his opening remarks, Sun hailed the project's launch, terming it a significant milestone in cultural diplomacy between the two countries.
"The satellite television program will build a new bridge that will connect Kenya and China in many aspects. It will enable local people to access content that enriches their cultural and spiritual awareness," Sun said.
Vice President of StarTimes Group Ltd Guo Ziqi said the Chinese firm had invested significant resources to support Kenya's transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.
She noted that the launch of StarTimes' digital television project for rural Kenya will boost access to high-value content on current affairs and entertainment in villages. "We are honored to be part of this project that will drive access to StarTimes digital television across rural households in Kenya," said Guo.
Deputy Governor of Kajiado County Paul Ntiati thanked China for the initiative, noting that it will go a long way toward transforming the lives of Kenyan people through increased access to information and entertainment.
"It is our hope that more people will continue to access the same as the project extends to other regions," said Ntiati.
StarTimes has adopted Digital TV technology to establish a powerful and secure multi-frequency and multi-channel digital wireless TV transmission platform. Combining satellite with terrestrial technology has facilitated the transmission of more than 140 local and its eight uplink stations in the region.
StarTimes' African operations date back to 2006 when first launched in Rwanda, kicking off its Mozambique, Senegal, Ghana, Congo, Gabon, Sudan and Malawi. They continue to roll out wireless digital TV platforms based on DVB-T2 technology in these and other countries. These will contain colorful international channels and will incorporate all analogue channels, making them available on the digital platform.
