Communication Authority has directed all Pay TV providers to allow Free to Air broadcast access on their decoders, saying that what is alleged is contrary to the law.
According to a letter dated 30th March 2020, the Authority through its Director General Mercy Wanjau, GOTV has barred PANG, SIGNET, and ADN from receiving FTA channel transmission contrary to licensing agreement.
Wanjau noted that complaints received from consumers alleged that some service providers have configured their Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) platforms to bar some of their FTA to air TV signals from other platforms, noting that the said action is contrary to their regulations directing that that all type DVB 72 set top boxes should be configured to receive FTA from any available DTT platforms, without any restrictions whatsoever.
“Barring reception of FTA broadcasting signals violates license conditions relevant law,” read part of the letter with Wanjau directing all licensed DTT broadcast distributors to unconditionally remove any restrictions and enable reception of FTA broadcast signals.
“This must be effected in the next 48 hours from the date of this letter failure to which necessary action will be taken,” she said.
GOTV and Star times had the advantage of being licensed as Pay TV providers ahead of the rest, giving them the advantage over the rest of the service providers.
By Alice Gworo
Pay TV Channels Warned Over Signal Restrictions
