Tanzania Joins the World of Digital Television

TOMRIC News Agency (Dar es Salaam), 7 August 2000

Dar Es Salaam - Tanzania has joined the World Digital Satellite Television service to take advantage of recent technological developments that will enable the country to send satellite signals to other African countries. Countries to be reached by the Tanzania signal include Kenya, Uganda, Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles.

This has become a reality following the official launching of MultiChoice Tanzania by the Zanzibar President, Dr Salmin Amour over the weekend in Dar Es Salaam. The multi-purpose function also witnessed MultiChoice launch another satellite service known as s Ku-band Service that will, among other things, enable Tanzania to send its signals to other countries on the African continent connected to another satellite service called C-Band.

According to the MultiChoice Tanzania Marketing manager, Mr. Mpeli- G.E. Nsekela, the Tanzania signal Eastern and Western Africa will reach Over 10 countries. Mr. Nsekela told the audience, which included members of diplomatic missions in the country, and government officials, that Tanzania makes the African countries that have been contacted by C-Band and Ku-Band satellite service covered under MultiChoice signal to reach a total of 50.

Like Zanzibar, which pioneered establishment of color television in subs Saharan Africa a quarter a century ago, Tanzania becomes among the pioneers of opening their doors to digital satellite television, he said. This means one more step in bridging the digital divide between North and South, brooking no half measures to deliver the greater television experience and underpin the objectives of informing, entertaining, educating and thus enhancing the quality of life of Africans specified Mr. Nsekela.

The Director of MultiChoice Tanzania, Ambassador Ami Mpungwe said participation in technological developments avails the African continent a capacity to act and become an active member of the international community avoiding the punishment of remaining backward technologically. He said the launching of the Ku-Band DSTV among other things empowers MultiChoice to deliver more efficient, affordable and wider services, throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the adjacent Indian Ocean islands.

Already MultiChoice Tanzania has secured some 5,500 subscribers out of whom 800 are on the analogue service and 4,700 on DSTV.