Assessing StarTimes consumer technology solutions in digital broadcast era
Digital broadcasting transition is a global process involving transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. Expectedly, in Nigeria the switch over has the potential to enhance both the quantity and quality of content available on TV and ultimately increase the number of TV viewers. As Nigeria prepares to hopeful transit from analogue to digital in December 2017, StarTimes, a pay Tv provider is supporting government efforts through provision of innovative TV technology, and integrated Digital TV sets. Daniel Obi assesses digital transition process and StarTimes efforts in this regard.
Nigeria’s digital migration process
For some homes, digital broadcast migration still sounds like invented story. This is because their analogue TV sets are still working. Don’t blame them. For over 10 years, Nigeria has been talking about digital broadcast migration or digital switch- over.
Nigeria had in 2006 in Geneva signed to join other International Telecommunication Union (ITU) member countries for a global switch-over in June 17, 2015. The country failed to meet this date. It has now set a new target of December 2017 for national switch over. It is expected that when this happens, analogue TV sets will stop working as they would not be compatible with the modern technology.
But many end-users are not abreast of the impending consequences and benefits when Nigeria finally switches over as there is little awareness about the system and development. Government agencies had blamed lack of funding as excuse for keeping Nigerians in the dark over the digital broadcasting migration. In Nigeria, it is doubtful whether upto 30 percent of homes, the target of the migration have either heard about the shift or what they are expected to do under the migration. Goodluck Jonathan government shifted the earlier ambitious migration date from 2012 to 2015 on the consideration that certain things need to be put in place first.
Apart from rendering analogue Tv sets useless, the transition will bring with it some incentives such as creation of more channels and more content from digital broadcasting stations. Another reason the switch is important is because digital technology allows for a better and more uniform picture quality to be received throughout the coverage area whereas with the analogue technology the picture quality progressively degrades further from the transmitter.
Why Nigeria’s switch-over is taking long
The perception in Africa is that things happen slowly. However, the switch over requires funds as systems need to be upgraded and awareness needs to be created. Again, stakeholders think it would amount to heavy cost on consumers if the switch is carried out at once. Reports say that it took the United Kingdom a few attempts of about 14 years and nearly £6.4 billion to digitize broadcasting. However, Nigeria is making slow but steady progress with private investor encouragement.
StarTimes efforts to consumers, government
Under the switch over environment, stakeholders have touted various technologies to be adopted to make television work. One of them is buying separate Tv set and a detached decoder to be attached to it. Others are saying this would be clumsy to the consumer. This led StarTimes, a foremost pay TV operator in Africa to recently introduce a new innovation in Tv technology. After extensive research, it came up with a TV set integrated with in-built decoder for the comfort of the consumers preparatory to not only the switch over hopefully in December 2017, but for the viewing comfort of end- users.
StarTimes said the newest integrated HD digital TV set innovation gives smart option for Nigerians and the new television product which comes in three sizes and already available in the market is designed with in-built decoders integrated with the television thereby saving users the stress of buying TV and decoder separately as well as clumsy wiring connections.
The smart product which comes permanently with over 100 pay TV and free-to-air channels will grant end-users instant access to join the digital TV train as currently being promoted by the Nigerian government.
“For us as a business we are committed to supporting the federal government as regards guiding Nigerians seamless to the digital switch over era and because of that we know technology is very important so, we are embracing innovative technology solutions that can help and that comes at very affordable rates so that Nigerians will be able to enjoy digital television such that when government switches over eventually it won’t be stressful on people” says Israel Bolaji, Head of Public Relations, StarTimes.
According to him, the firm is also into mass sensitization on digital switch over. “Don’t forget digital switch over is not for one player, it is an industry thing; it is for all of us. For us at StarTimes, it is one of our contributions-mass sensitization and enlightenment, offering competitive content which people will enjoy as they come on board eventually and making sure that digital television is of high quality and very affordable. The other is that if you look at our history as business our mission is to enable every Nigerian household afford and enjoy exciting digital television experience”, Bolaji further said.
Tunde Aina, StarTimes Nigeria Chief Operating Officer said as a pay TV industry operator, the firm is committed to new innovations and technologies that can enhance digital TV experience for Nigerians and Africans and rally the people to enjoy maximum dtv entertainment at very affordable rates.
Aina said StarTimes commits itself to providing customers with the most endurable Digital LED TVs and the most splendid viewing experience, integrated with the cutting-edge technologies and exquisite craftsmanship. StarTimes Digital TV will boost viewing pleasure and offer credible, quality and outstanding entertainment experience at a quite competitive price.
The TV comes with 60% Lower Energy Consumption than CRT TV, designed for decorating a more fashionable space with its maximum thickness of 70mm and the minimum thickness of 13mm and offer boundless viewing pleasure with 5mm ultra-slim bezel and silver skating blade stand which uplifts consumers’ viewing, he noted.
Oludare Kafar, Marketing Director said as the fastest-growing digital TV operator in Africa and due to necessities of strategic development as well as meeting demands of African markets, StarTimes is focusing on its new business unit – integrated full HD Digital TV sets. Kafar said the product offers crystal clear Full HD images of 1920*1080p rendered at 8ms super-rapid response time and four viewing modes which guarantee vibrant and smooth viewing experience.
“With 5 sound modes and an earphone port, the rich acoustics will surely deliver you crisp surround sound effect to keep you on the edge of your seat. It enables you to conveniently enjoy movies, music and other audio and visual resources stored in your flash disks, hard disks or other devices via the USB Port or HDMI port”, Kafar added.
“The combo decoder mode was deliberately designed recently with latest global technology to lavish subscribers with unprecedented access to digital television and entertainment. Interestingly, this new combo decoder works with both antenna and dish and offers all channels for the price of one. It also grants our esteemed customers access to over 100 channels across the genres with HD picture quality. This exciting option is on the new StarTimes TV set.”
StarTimes is excited and committed to “deploying world’s latest technology to offer multiple access to subscribers to enjoy both digital terrestrial and digital satellite television channels and entertainment offerings because our customers deserve utmost comfort and convenience”, he said.
As a digital TV company, StarTimes is passionate about the digital TV revolution. Nigerians will continue to enjoy the best of digital television entertainment and experience with a plethora of enjoyable programs in higher definition (HD) images at very pocket-friendly bouquet rates.
Welcoming StarTimes efforts
Stakeholders have applauded the pay-Tv efforts towards seamless digital migration especially for consumers, most of who would have been unprepared when Nigerian switches over next year.
For instance, some of those who purchased the decoder-inbuilt Tv sets at the launching event welcomed the idea of having Tv integrated with decoder. Biodun said it is a good innovation while other guests said it is a welcome development preparatory to Nigeria’s switch over date.
It is believed that this innovation of having an in-built decoder in TV set would relieve end-users the burden and connection clumsiness under digital switch over.