Tunga TV initiative has been launched (Wednesday) in Gishubi Sector, in Gisagara District, in Southern Province; this initiative will boost TV penetration in Rwanda.
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 (STB’s) and other devices promoting access to information services.
While officiating at the launch of this initiative; Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana stressed that the initiative aims at serve at least every Rwandan to access television. He noted that “Knowledge is power, knowledge is wealth. Every Rwandan has to watch TV, even if he doesn’t own it at home (…)”.
The Governor of Southern Province, Alphonse Munyantwali said that ICT is a pillar of development in Rwanda; he urges also local residents and leaders to embrace this initiative to acquire more knowledge as the basis of growth.
Minister Nsengimana urged the private sector and business owners to help get the ICT tools close to isolated communities.
He stressed that “You don’t only have to sell these materials, but also use them to speed up your services. We want our people to be served in the best ways, and as fast as possible.
This will increase our productivity. Tunga TV is just one of the programs, and TV is just one ICT tool that we start with. ICT is for you and must be used by you for your benefit.”
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).
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”.
95% of the country is already covered by a digital signal, 700 TV viewing centers will be operational. The digital mode has 6 free channels including Rwanda Television, TV10, TV5 Monde, France 24 (both French and English channels) and Al Jazeera. The community TV viewing center will be unveiled in different places across the country.
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