The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has called for stakeholder and public views on a draft Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) framework it has formulated to ensure the efficient use of the available broadcasting spectrum and encourage investment in the sub-sector.
“The objective of this consultation is to develop a suitable framework for Digital Sound Broadcasting in Kenya to address the challenge of high demand and low availability for analogue FM broadcasting frequencies that is currently being experienced,” said the CA.
In the draft proposals published on the regulator’s website, the Communications Authority says the DSB network will act as an add-on technology to FM radio as opposed to a replacement, clarifying that there will be no switch-off date set for the AM or FM radio.
“Development of DSB will have an objective of substantially increasing the range and diversity of radio services available to listeners including providing for new digital-only services and enabling existing AM and FM radio services to simulcast on the DAB+ network,” reads the draft in part.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) will be given priority after the setup of the first national DAB multiplex network by having sufficient capacity reserved for the State broadcaster to simulcast all of its national radio services and to launch new ones.
In the envisioned plan, the Communications Authority will issue two categories of licences — one to DSB signal distributors and the other to digital broadcast content service providers. The regulatory fee for local DSB signal distributors will be similar to that of Network Facilities Provider tier-three operators.
At the end of June 2021, CA had licensed 186 FM broadcasters comprising 13 public FM radio, 131 commercial FM radio, and 42 community FM radio stations.
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