An advert by Chinese Pay TV provider StarTimes asking consumers who have been using their set-top boxes (STB) to buy new ones has been faulted by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) which says the broadcaster should pay for the replacements.
StarTimes placed an advert telling consumers who want to watch Free To Air (FTA) channels to buy a new StarTimes decoder that will allow them to access to FTA channels without having to pay the required monthly fees.
“YELLOW ALERT: StarTimes Kenya ad asks existing customers to buy a new set at KSh4,999 (US$52). Only buy at your own risk. They are supposed to replace your existing one or upgrade your current one as it still receives FTA (Free To Air) channels such as KBC. Please read and understand your rights as a consumer under the Consumer Protection Act, 2012,” read COFEK’s post on their Facebook page.
The warning comes at a time when consumers are rushing to buy STBs ahead of the analogue switch-off with the first taking place in Nairobi on December 13.
Last month the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), as well as stakeholders such as GoTV, embarked on separate sensitisation campaigns to educate the public on the looming migration and its requirements.
Concern remains however over the amount of people who understand what the digital migration means and how it will affect them if they are not prepared.
