Digital Migration: Consumer Federation warns Kenyans against StarTimes STB decoder

As Digital Migration deadline draws nigh, a number of consumers with Pay TV seem confused on whether they should buy new Set Top Boxes (STBs) or not. Here at Kachwanya we have offered our advice on Available options from Pay TV providers on FTA and as such informed our readers that StarTimes has an offer where consumers willing to watch Free To Air (FTA) channels ought to buy a new StarTimes decoder that will allow viewers watch FTA channels without paying monthly subscriptions. The STB decoder by StarTimes is retailing at Kshs 5,000. This offer has attracted criticism from many consumers, and now Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has issued a warning to Kenyans not to buy the decoder in this statement:

YELLOW ALERTStarTimes Kenya ad asks existing customers to buy a new set at Sh4,999. Only buy at your own risk. They are supposed to replace your existing one or upgrade your current one as it still receives FTA (Free To Air) channels such as KBC. Please read and understand your rights as a consumer under the Consumer Protection Act, 2012

This alert still takes me back to the question I asked about the offers by Pay TV on watching FTA. It is obvious that KBC (and a few other Chinese FTA channels) are always available on Dstv whether one pays for the monthly subscription fees or not. I do understand that all the other FTA channels also give their broadcast feed to Dstv and the other Pay TV providers freely. What barrier, if I may know, exists technologically that cannot let the Pay TV providers allow consumers watch the FTA channels without monthly subscriptions and without requiring them to pay special fees or buy special decoders?

CCK has tried to talk to the Pay TV providers so that the providers can give consumers the FTA channels for free. The talks are what culminated in Multichoice deciding to charge consumers some Kshs 2,600 in order to access FTA channels on Gotv. Similarly, StarTimes has decided to charge consumers Kshs 5000 in disguise that they are offering a new decoder capable of proving FTA without requiring monthly subscription. These to me look like the Pay TV providers are in some kind of scam to reap huge amounts of money from consumers. If there is indeed no technical barrier that prohibits the Pay TV providers from providing the local FTA channels within the current service and equipment setup then I suggest that Cofek and CCK should take the Pay TVs to court and force them to allow consumers on Pay TV receive the FTA channels freely, as they too get them freely.

As such the demand by StarTimes that consumers ought to buy a separate decoder in order to receive FTA channel should be scrapped. Similarly the requirement by Multichoice that Gotv customers ought to pay an additional Kshs 2,600 for FTA channel reception without monthly subscription should equally be scrapped and those consumers who have already paid the fees be refunded.

Cofek and CCK, hope you are listening.

In the meantime here is the list of approved STB vendors:

AS AT SEPTEMBER 2013

FREE TO AIR SET TOP BOXES

Free to air set top boxes (FTA) describes set top boxes (decoders) that do not require subscriptions. Allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the digital signal and view or listen to the content without requiring other ongoing cost or one-off fee.

DVB-T2 DIGITAL RECEIVER MAKE & MODEL DESCRIPTION ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED VENDOR AVERAGE PRICE
GOSPELL HDT7205 T2 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Professional Digital Systems Limited
P.O. Box 53952-00200 Nairobi
4th Floor Ngong Road Professional Center Ngong road (Next to Kenol Petrol Station)Tel: + 254-20-2300261
Mobile: +254-733-603040, +254-722-203637MOMBASA AMAZON SELECTION KENYA LTD
Kenyatta avenue next to Sega market opposite Sega shell petrol station 0733 977820 / 0715876499Email: [email protected] Website :www.pdslkenya.com
Kshs 5,000
XIPOINT HDT7205T2 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Microville Solutions Ltd
P. O. Box 73585 Nairobi 00200
Ground Floor, Utalii House, Utalii Lane. (The shop entrance is on the side of Utalii House facing Kenindia House)E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile: +254-733 – 565653 +254-788 – 565653 +254-721 -217593 +254-41- 2002411
Also available in Tuskys & Kenya Credit Traders
Kshs 5,500
HOMECASTHT2100FTA FREE-TO-AIR set top box Sinka Digital Limited
P.O Box 15372 Nairobi 00100
Maendeleo House, 6th Floor, Suite 611, CBD, NairobiTel: +254-20-2339833
Mobile: +254-722-519866, 0732747837
Email Address: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Website:www.sinkadigital.com.
Kshs 6,499
SAMSUTECH DVB-T2 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Samsutech Corporation Ltd
Mayfair Suites, Nairobi
P.O Box 40341 Nairobi 00100Tel: +254 -20- 317060
Fax: +254-20- 317056
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.samsutech.net
Available in Uchumi ,Nakumatt, Tuskys & Naivas outlets
Kshs 4,995
YAOJIN 1807 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Jolini Limited
P.O Box 7376 Nairobi 00200
Plainsview Ground Floor
SouthB Estate Sore Drive
Mobile : +254-727-805252
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.jolini.co.ke
Onlinehttps://www.facebook.com/pages/YAOJIN-1807-DVB-T2-Decoder-from-Jolini-LTD/325220820930746 http://jolini.co.ke/Nairobi Outlets

  • Spikes electronics – Luthuli Avenue – Nairobi
  • Kisii Drome Electronics – Tiriki lane off Luthuli Avenue –
  • Nairobi Rahimtulla trust House, Princess Exhibition Stall D1, Moi Avenue. Contact Andrew 0722685545 – Nairobi
  • Elsam Electronics Afri Castle Building, Shop No. 6, River Road – Nairobi
  • Universal Tech Electronics Ltd, Shop No. 7, Kamae Road – Nairobi

Naivasha

  • Universal Tech Electronics Ltd – Naivasha

Ruiru

  • SKYPARK Electronics Ltd, Ridges house next to Ruiru Plaza. Contact Andrew 0722685545 – Ruiru

Western Dealer

  • Hope Channel Kisii, HAME Building, next to Kisii Primary. Contact 0726368514 – Kisii
Kshs5,000
OLIVE V-D500 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Webb Communications Limited
P.O Box 46627 Nairobi 00100
Emperor plaza Ground floor Koinange street
Tel: +254-20-2211429
Email: [email protected]
Not Available
TELDY T2 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Sinka Digital Limited
P.O Box 15372 Nairobi 00100
Maendeleo House, 6th Floor,
Suite 611, CBD, Nairobi
Tel: +254-20-2339833
Mobile: +254-722-519866, 0732747837
Email Address: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Website:www.sinkadigital.com
Kshs 5,399
VISION-N-T225H FREE-TO-AIR set top box Global Positioning System Africa Limited
P.O Box 9979 Nairobi 00200
2nd. Floor, East End Plaza,
Bukani Road, Nairobi West
Tel: +254-02-2020150 / 2020160.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.gps-africa.com
Not Available
HUREN HR-T22 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Global Digital Suppliers East Africa Lltd
P.O Box 46200 Nairobi 00100
Ground floor, Bruce house
Mobile: +254-722-231646
E-mail: [email protected]
Kshs 5,000
SHENZEHEN MTC DH2667 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Global Digital Technology Ltd
P.O Box 71356 Nairobi 00622
Ground floor
Next to Shell petrol station Forest road
Mobile: +254-722231646
Email: [email protected]
Kshs 5,000
iCLASS T2000 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Dominion Digital Communications
P.O Box 11600 Nairobi 00400
Visions plaza Mombasa Road
Tel: + 254 705 995410
Email: [email protected],
[email protected]
Website: www.migratedigital.com
Kshs 5,000
ROCKDALE REL816 FREE-TO-AIR set top box Rockdale Africa
P.O Box 1655 Nairobi 00502
Karen park ground floor room 8 0717 489 411
Pan Africa Life house,
Standard street(CBD) 0722 774907
Bandari plaza Ground floor (Westlands ) – 0722782121/0703 338999
Visions plaza (Mombasa road) – 0722863431
MOMBASA ALPHAS SOUNDS ELECTRONICS- 0720 434 209
KILIFI PCI ELECTRONICS – 0723 172 021
ELDORET ALPHAS SOUNDS ELECTRONICS– 0720 434 209
NAKURU HE12 ELECTRONICS LTD- 0705 913 340, 0722 504 889
MERU BRAVO SOUND ELECTRONICS – 0721 324 825, 0712 011 747
UTU WEMA MERCHANTS – 0700 287 401, 0736 347 658
FORTUNE ELECTRONICS -0722 826 081
EMBU JJ ELECTRONICS – 0722 882 502
THIKA COMCELL THIKA – 0722 933 662
Email: [email protected]www.rockdaleafrica.co.ke
Kshs 5,000
SMART BEAVER COSHIP F8771U FREE-TO-AIR set top box Smart Beaver
P.O BOX 7722 Nairobi 00100 Hurlingham Plaza ,
Ground floor Generation electronics,
Luthuli Avenue & Tom Mboya Avenue Desang.
Kenyatta National Hospital parking lot
MOMBASA Kodak express,
Mombasa Panafric building
Desang Ukunda shopping center
KISUMU Desang Kisumu, Kadongo market
MACHAKOS Ramtechfoto Machakos town.
CUSTOMER CARE 0721471282,
0726803159,0717058242,0202692887.
Kshs5,500
ASTROVOX 2221 DVB-T2 SET TOP BOX FREE-TO-AIR set top box RESONATE ESSENTIALS LTD
P.O. Box 12 Nairobi 00507
Mantrac Complex,
Witu Road, off Lusaka Road
Tel: +254-20-2105553/4
Mobile: +254-750 888880
Email: sales@resonate_essentials.com
Kshs 6,500
EUROMAX-DVB-2221 DVB-T2 SET TOP BOX FREE-TO-AIR set top box CELLNET LIMITED
P.O. Box 75963 Nairobi 00200
Doshi Complex Mombasa Road
Tel: +254-20-2743000
Fax: +254-20-2743444
Mobile: +254-703-030000
Email : [email protected],
[email protected]
Website: www.cellnet.co.ke
Kshs16,240
SHINETEC VA2102HD DVB-T2 SET TOP BOX FREE-TO-AIR set top box RAYBRIDGE MULTILINGUAL CENTRE
P.O. Box 48855 Nairobi 00100
Tel: 020 3673231
Eden Square Complex
7th Floor Block 1, Chiromo road
Mobile: +254-703 041779
Email: [email protected]
Kshs4,600
SMILE DIGITAL TNT-SD001 DVB-T2 SET TOP BOX FREE-TO-AIR set top box RAYBRIDGE MULTILINGUAL CENTRE
P.O. Box 48855 Nairobi 00100
Eden Square Complex 7th Floor
Block 1, Chiromo Road
Tel: +254-20-3673231
Mobile: +254-703 041779
Email: [email protected]
Kshs 4,600
THY WORD QC-XPLUS SERIES V DVB-T2/S2 COMBO RECEIVER SET TOP BOX FREE-TO-AIR set top box THY WORD TV LIMITED
P.O. Box 25699 Nairobi 00200
Jimkan House 4th Floor
Wood Groove Road
Mobile: +254-722-560789
Kshs 10,000
SUPERBOX DVB-T2 SET TOP BOX FREE-TO-AIR set top box SKYLAND LOGISTICS LTD
P.O. Box 60207 Nairobi 00200
Tel: +254 -20-2502037
Not Available
SAFIVIEW-FREE DVB-T2 STB: SK 12202 FREE-TO-AIR set top box SIAN KING ENTERPRISES LTD
P.O. Box 35159 Nairobi 00100
Uniafric House 1st Floor
Room 132 Koinange Street
Tel: +254 -20- 341827
Fax: +254 -20-341828
Email: [email protected]
Kshs 6,500
DVB-T2 SET TOP BOX: VA2102HD FREE-TO-AIR set top box E-AITEC EA LTD
P.O. Box 13891 Nairobi 00800
Showbe Plaza Annex 2nd Floor,
Block H Muranga Road
Tel: +254-20 2077358
Email: [email protected]
Kshs5,100
DVB-T2 STB: DH2639 FREE-TO-AIR set top box VAIZZER LTD
P.O. Box72368 Nairobi 00200
Watedi Plaza, 1st floor, shop no.B1
(Next to KenolKobil/ Nandoos)
Buru Buru phase 5
Mobile: +254-0722-370149, +254-0737-844333,
+254-0751-767322, +254-0717-427472
Email: [email protected]
Kshs. 4,500
HOLY BOX HW7900 DVB T2 SET TOP BOX FREE-TO-AIR set top box Bright Vision Media Ltd
P.O. Box 76095 Nairobi 00508
Room 202, Apple Wood,
Wood Avenue, Kilimani
Tel: +254-22982122
Email: [email protected]
Not Available
STAR7000T2 Free –To-Air set top box StarTimes Media (Kenya) Co. Ltd
P.O Box 26059 Nairobi.00100
Victoria towers, Ground Floor, Upper Hill
Tel: +254 -719-077077, +254-721-720406
Email : [email protected]
Website: www.startimes.com.cn
Kshs4,999
PACE DT280IMC GOTV PAY TV set top box GOtv – Multichoice (K) Ltd
P. O. Box 60406 Nairobi 00200
Karuna Road, Westlands
Tel: +254-20-2710877/ 4326555
Mobile: +254 -711-066555
Email: [email protected],
[email protected]
Website: www.gotvafrica.co.za
Kshs7,100
Kaskad VA2102HD Free To Air Top Box. Wizards Shippers Ltd,
P.O.BOX 12447-00100, Nairobi.
Email: [email protected].
Kshs.4,000
Horizon DT101 Free To Air Top Box. Broadcast Solutions International Ltd.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0202051626
Kshs 4,000
Perostar HD-169T2 Free To Air Top Box. Wealth Agencies
P.O.BOX 3407-0030200 Kitale.
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +254-722491588
Kshs 5,000
Tuner Models: Fox-P&X13 Free To Air Top Box. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd,
3rd Floor, Office Suites
Block B Parklands Road,
P.O.BOX 27577 -00506 Nairobi.
Tel. 3752371/2/3/5/6 Fax:3752378.
Kshs 8,000
M-Tech MT-T22 Free To Air Top box Masterseed Technology Ltd,
Jewabhai Vekaria Building,
Mezzainine Floor, Taveta Road,
P.O.BOX 53724-00200 , Nairobi.
Tel: 020 222985
Mobile: 0722845762.
Kshs 4,500
Next YE-2013T2 Free To Air Set Top Box Cables & Connectors Ltd,
P.O.BOX 536-00606 Nairobi.
Tel: 0202325129.
Mobile: 0729208440 / 0733208440
Email. [email protected]
Kshs 3,995
Nivek (TOP-9921A-1) Free To Air Set Top Box. Bregs Enterprises Rehabilitation Centre
Old Mbagathi Road, Opposite KMTC Nairobi.
P.O.BOX 61205-00200, Nairobi.
Mobile: 0722238744 /
0 0720867498 / 0735648635.
Email: [email protected]
Not Available
Daewoo (GK –BM018) Free To Air Set Top Box Whitespace Technologies Ltd
P.O.BOX 386-00100 Nairobi.
Tel.+254020 249050,
Mobile: 0722434435/ 0721785648.
Email: john@whitespace celte.com
Website: www.whitespacecelte.kbo.co.ke
Kshs 4,800
ASTROVOX 2100 Free To Air Set Top Box Resonate Essentials Mantrac Complex
Witu Road, Off Lusaka Road Nairobi,
P.O.BOX 12-00507, Nairobi.
Tel: 020 2105553
Mobile : 0750 888 880.
Kshs 6,000
T2-600 Free To Air Set Top Box Netware Services Windsor House,
5TH Floor, University way,
P.O.BOX 50524-00100 Nairobi.
Mobile: 0728 169259.
Kshs 4,000
TV Star ( T 2505 ) Free To Air Set Top Box Diplomatic Systems
1st Floor Chaka Place Hurlingham Area,
Off Argwings Kodhek Road,
P.O.BOX 16679-00100, Nairobi.
Tel. +254733291100/ +254 722768368.
Kshs 4,500
FLAMESAT FS-820T2 Free –to –Air set top box Sinka Digital Limited
P.O Box 15372 Nairobi 00100
Maendeleo House,
6th Floor, Suite 611, CBD, Nairobi
Tel: +254-20-2339833
Mobile: +254-722-519866 0732747837
Email Address: [email protected] or[email protected]
Website :www.sinkadigital.com
Kshs. 4,899
M-TECH MT-T22 Free –to –Air set top box Masterseed Technology Ltd
P.O Box 53724 Nairobi 00200
Tel.0722568888, 0722845762.
Email: [email protected]
Kshs 4,000
SAYONA SDVB-1129 Free –to –Air set top box Memusi Holding Ltd
P.O Box 3904 Nakuru 20-100
Tel.020 2677514
Not available
DIGITV T2 S810 Free –to –Air set top box Millenia Systems
P.O Box 284 Nairobi 00300
Tel.0729703995
Email: [email protected] /
[email protected]
Kshs. 5,000
GOLDEN EAGLE THDVB-0908A Free –to –Air set top box Speedtech Connections Ltd
P.O Box 731-60400 Nairobi
Tel: 0725817466
Available in Chuka and Chogoria 1.
P.O.Box 731- 064 Chuka, 2.
P.O.Box 731- 064 Chogoria.
Email: [email protected]
Not available
PEROSTAR HD-169T2 Free –to –Air set top box Wealth Agencies
P.O Box 3407 Kitale 30200
Tel. 0722491588 / 0722338969.
Email: [email protected]
Kshs. 5,000
PIXSTAR FS-820T2 Free –to –Air set top box Chromestar Electronics
P.O Box 47362 Nbi 00100
Tel.0722 239050
Email: [email protected]
Kshs 4,500
CELLNET DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcast Terrestrial) Receiver: Model 2221 Free-To-Air set top box Cellnet Ltd Mombasa Road,
P.O. Box 753963-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 20 2743400
Kshs.4,800

 

INTEGRATED TELEVISIONS TV’s

With an inbuilt DVB-T2 tuner thus they don’t require a set top box

DVB-T2 DIGITAL RECEIVER MAKE & MODEL DESCRIPTION ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED VENDOR AVERAGE PRICE
SAMSUNG MODEL:UA40ES5600K FREE-TO-AIR integrated digital TV Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd
P.O. Box 27577 Nairobi 00506
West End Towers,
3rdFloor Waiyaki way, Nairobi Kenya.
Tel: +254-20- 752371/2/3/5/6
Fax:+254 -20-3752378
32’ Kshs 59,995
40’ Kshs. 79995
46’ Kshs. 129,995
LG Integrated Digital TV Models: 42LN540V,32LN540U FREE-TO-AIR integrated digital TV LG Service Centre -Head Office
Postal address: 402-00606
Sarit Centre Town: Nairobi
Tel: +254-202018146
32’ Kshs. 50,100
42’ Kshs. 81,700
Sony Bravia Integrated Digital TV Models (DVB-T2 Tuner: CXD2865GA). FREE-TO-AIR integrated digital TV Anisuma Traders Ltd
P.O Box 10359 Nairobi 00100,
Telephone: 020-2227795, 020-2227800
Mobile: 0737-234378Available in Nairobi at shop no 1 ,kimathi street, old mutula building , anisuma – crescent business centre , parklandsThika roadAnisuma -Thika Road Mall, Nairobi

Mombasa Anisuma -Nyali mall

Also available in nakumatt , tuskys, naivas, uchumi , and all other leading supermarkets countrywide.

KD 65 X 9004 A-999,995
KD 55 X 9004 A-699,995
KDL 55 W 904 A-349,995
KDL 46 W 904 A-249,995
KDL 55 W 804 A-224,995
KDL 47 W 804 A-159,995
KDL 42 W 804 A-119,995
KDL 55 W 704 A- TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER
KDL 46 W 704 A- TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER
KDL 42 W 674 A-79,995
KDL 32 W 674 A-56,995

 

PAY TV SET TOP BOXES

Pay TV set top boxes give you access to television content after payment of subscription or a monthly fee

DVB-T2 DIGITAL RECEIVER MAKE & MODEL DESCRIPTION ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED VENDOR AVERAGE PRICE
STAR9000T2 STARTIMES PAY TV set top box StarTimes Media (Kenya) Co. Ltd
P.O Box 26059 Nairobi.00100
Victoria towers, Ground Floor, Upper Hill
Tel: +254 -719-077077, +254-721-720406
Email :[email protected]
Website:www.startimes.com.cn
Kshs 3,499
PACE DT280IMC GOTV PAY TV set top box GOtv – Multichoice (K) Ltd
P. O. Box 60406 Nairobi 00200
Karura Road, Westlands
Tel: +254-20-2710877/ 4326555
Mobile: +254 -711-066555
Email: [email protected],
[email protected]Website:www.gotvafrica.co.za
Kshs 4,500* *To get FTA channels (stop subscription) pay Kshs 2600.

 

Odipo Riaga2215 Posts

Film Director, Tech and Business Blogger, Chess Player, and Photographer. God is Science.

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