All African countries are required to switch from analogue to digital by June 17, 2015, as stipulated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Speaking at the East African Communications Organisation (EACO) Congress, chairman of the Assembly of Broadcasting Operators Wainaina Mungai said member states have been setting deadlines which they have not been able to meet, citing a number of challenges to the long awaited migration.
“There are concerns in the East African broadcasting assembly of deadlines not being met. Some the challenges experienced by countries include the penetration of set-top boxes, receivers, affordability and availability, awareness of the digital migration and taxation issues.”
He added: “Member states should not set new deadlines before addressing these issues.”
The assembly also recommended there should be exemption on import duty on set-top boxes up to 2015.
This will help to tackle the issues of affordability and availability of the set-top boxes.
