NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – DSTV Mobile plans to expand its network to cover Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret by next year.
The service which offers satellite television on mobile handsets currently covers Nairobi and Mombasa only.
Digital Mobile Television (DMTV) – a subsidiary of MultiChoice – which runs the service, says it is conducting consumer research to establish what content and pricing module would be most suitable
“We are targeting the mass market and it will be important for us to find out how customers have taken to it so far,” DMTV General Manager Felix Kyengo said on Friday.
He added that with the changes in technology consumption of television was becoming increasingly personal with consumer convenience playing a central role.
This has seen broadcasters go out of their way to find new ways through which consumers can access their preferred content on the move.
DSTV Mobile currently offers 14 channels on its bouquets including Channel O, SuperSport7, SuperSport3, Cartoon Network, Africa Magic, BBC, CNN and the current Big Brother Show.
Mr Kyengo said the 2010 FIFA World Cup played a major role in pushing up its customer numbers, but was not at liberty to disclose the actual number of subscribers.
“During the World Cup we had a major breakthrough with many people coming on board and we expect with the start of the English Premier League that our numbers will go even higher,” he said.
DSTV Mobile is currently available on selected Nokia and ZTE handsets but Mr Kyengo expects this to change in the coming months.
“As the concept catches on in Kenya you will get more mobile manufactures coming up with compatible phones,” he said.
He was speaking during the signing of an agreement with mobile network Yu to make its content accessible to Yu subscribers.
The network becomes fourth operator to offer mobile DSTV content, a move Essar Telecom Country Manager Atul Chaturvedi believes will help it grow in the Kenyan market.
“This is a competitive market and a partnership with relevant industry players is a key aspect for us to be able to provide innovative services to our subscribers. We will relentlessly continue to pursue ways of stretching our reach to more and more customers by providing new and exciting packages targeting various market segments,” Mr Chaturvedi said.
