Kenyan pay-television provider StarTimes has announced expansion plans to include 80 per cent of the country’s population by the end of 2014, incorporating five major counties across the country.
“StarTimes digital television service will be available in Machakos, Migori, Trans-Nzoia, Laikipia and Muranga counties raising the number with the company’s digital television access to over 20 counties,” the company said in a statement.
StarTimes said subscribers across these regions will have access to the pay-television and free-to-air services provided by the company.
“We intend to ride on our current 70 per cent digital television network coverage in the country to extend the reach of our informative, educative and entertaining channel offering to more Kenyans key in not only growing our market share but also giving them an enviable choice that will enrich their television viewing experience,” said StarTimes vice president (VP) for marketing, Hans Han.
The company said its intends to invest US$75 million in its network during the country’s digital migration, eventually reaching 100 per cent network coverage.
“We will continue investing heavily in the digital television sector as we seek to meet increased viewership demands”, he said.
“The migration process will be key in ensuring the country does bridge the digital divide that currently exists as it will ensure Kenyans get access to high quality audio and video television reception, have a variety of enhanced broadcasting applications, multimedia data as well as additional channels that will not only inform but also entertain,” the company said.
StarTimes currently operates in 16 African countries with a subscriber base of four million and global reach of seven million.
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