Rwanda launches Tunga TV initiative to promote digital TV take-up

Tunga TV Initiative to be launched in Rwanda

The Ministry of Youth and ICT (MYICT) will launch Tunga TV initiative in Gisagara District in Southern Province on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

This initiative aims to drive Rwanda go digital (the migration from analogue to digital), facilitate the public to acquire affordable TV sets, Set Top Boxes (STBs) and other devices promoting access to information services.

This was revealed during the press conference on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 where Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana recommends Rwandans to embrace technology.

“We have a partnership with the private sector especially TV sets dealers and banks we want to see how they can help Rwandans to get TV sets in installment payements, this will increase the number of TV owners,” said Minister Nsengimana.

Willy Rukundo, DG of ORINFOR said that community TV viewing Centers will be available in different places across Rwanda where local residents will be able to watch TV easily.

Regis Gatarayiha, DG of RURA said that “Set Top Boxes (STB’s) will be available to help Rwandans access digital TV signal everywhere in Rwanda.”

This comes following the decision made at ITU Regional Radio communication Conference of 2006 in Geneva (RRC-06) requiring countries to migrate from analogue to digital terrestrial TV broadcasting technologies by 17th June 2015, The Government of Rwanda would like to announce that digital TV broadcasting network is currently up and running with an estimate coverage of 95% of the entire country.

Regulations governing digital terrestrial television have been established and technical specifications for STBs have been published to allow importers and vendors of equipment to avail them on the Rwandan market.

In order to ensure protection of consumer, all imported model of digital receiving equipment shall be submitted to RURA for type approval before they are authorized for sale on Rwanda market.

Starting from 1st March up to end of December 2013, the public broadcaster (ORINFOR) shall be broadcasting both analogue and digital signal to allow viewers with and without STB to continue receiving TV channels (dual illumination). During that period, analogue signal will be progressively switched off in accordance with the attached digital switchover plan.

To fast-track this process the Ministry of Youth and ICT (MYICT), the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), the Rwanda Information Agency (ORINFOR), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), together with the private sector broadcasters and other multimedia companies have come together to support a national initiative under the name “Tunga TV”.

“The initiative aims at fast-track digital migration process and its awareness, facilitate acquisition of affordable digital TV sets, and accessories to increase access to information services, as well as promote content development relevant to the viewers,” said the Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana.

At this event in Gisagara District different business operators, representatives of banks and other financial institutions, public institutions as well as the broadcasters companies and local resident will participate in this event. Broadcasters will showcase their services and products to the local residents.

Tunga TV initiative and digital migration can be used to enhance many important aspects of daily life. By embracing Tunga TV initiative population will benefit a lot in terms of receiving good pictures and watch many documentaries and educative programs.