CC image courtesy of CCK Kenya on Flickr
The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) has today (Monday) reviewed downwards tariffs for digital signal distribution in a move geared towards facilitating a smooth migration from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
According to the determination on Cost-Based Terrestrial Digital Broadcast Signal Distribution Tariff, digital signal distributors shall charge broadcasters (also known as Content Service Providers) at KSh125,990 (US$1,455) per megabit for Nairobi and KSh93,202.75 (US$1,076) per megabit for other sites in Kenya.
Before the review, the Pan-Africa Network Group (PANG) had proposed to charge broadcasters a monthly signal distribution fee of KSh1,135,312.50 (US$13,112) per channel in Nairobi.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)-owned Signet on the other hand had proposed to charge KSh248,141 (US$2,866) per megabit for signal distribution services within Nairobi.
For other sites in Kenya, Signet maintained a uniform signal distribution fee of KSh248,141.45 (US$2,866) per megabit, while PANG had proposed to charge a flat monthly fee of KSh378,437.50 (US$4,370) for signal distribution services in Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisii and Meru.
For Malindi, Webuye, Garissa, Narok, Kericho, Isiolo, Kitale, Bungoma, Embu, Voi and other regions, PANG had proposed to charge broadcasters a flat monthly fee of KES126,145.83(US$1,456).
In the determination, CCK further requires the two Digital Signal Distributors – PANG and Signet – to publish a Reference Offer three months from today in order to ensure that there is access, transparency and non-discrimination on the terrestrial signal distribution platform.
According to the determination, digital signal distributors are also expected to prepare separate accounts for each commercial subsidiary including the appropriate allocation of central overheads within six months from today.
CCK says it adopted a consultative approach in arriving at the cited tariffs where the signal distributors were involved.
The regulator said the new tariffs take effect from today.
