By Dennis Agaba

Are you are TV lover and had been hard-pressed to buy a decoder to watch your favourite soaps on digital TV StarTimes? Worry no more. You can now buy a StarTimes decoder at Rwf4,000 to enjoy your favorite sports and telenovelas as well as news programmes that the digital world presents. Under this newly introduced promotion dubbed "Nova Bouquet”, it is aimed at giving our customers the best home entertainment.

It is also intended to increase access to digital television content for Rwandans. From today, new customers can walk into any StarTimes outlet and buy a StarTimes decoder only at Rwf4,000, Hussein Kamanzi, the firm’s national marking director told The New Times in an interview.

Under this package, however, subscribers viewers will also pay a monthly fee of Rwf2,000 subscription fee to continue enjoying the good side of the digital life that StarTimes brings. "They will access up to 10 international TV channels, plus local channels, which totals to over 18 channels,” Kamanzi adds.

He says that the service would play a role in increasing access TV services, especially the grassroots rural population.

"We’re delivering what we promised… the promotion will allow Rwandans, particularly the low-income earners, to acquire decoders and watch unlimited TV programmes,” says Kamanzi

Furthermore, the exciting offer is coming ahead of the 2015 digital migration over and aimed at offering Rwandans the opportunity to own decoders and enjoy quality digital TV experience. This has come when the public wanted it most. Jacqueline Mutesi, a resident of Kicukiro District, told The New Times that the promotion has come when her children needed it most.

"My children have been craving entertainment to keep them busy, but I couldn’t afford the subscription since it was still expensive for me. However, with this promotion, I will be able to buy one so that my children can be part of today’s digital life,” says Mutesi.

With time StarTimes will introduce new decoders, including the sophisticated high definitions (HD), SD light and even projector decoders to promote digital broadcasting in Rwanda. Abel Nshimiyimana, a Startimes subscriber, says the promotion would improve the penetration of pay TV services in the county.

"With this promotion, StarTimes has demonstrated once again that they are truly a Rwandan brand that keeps its promise of providing affordable and enjoyable digital TV to every home in the country. It is amazing that this comes at affordable rates, and customers are strong international and local content,” said Nshimiyimana.

Kamanzi says: "Digital TV enhances viewer experience through and has better picture quality. Digital television broadcasting offers sharper and brighter pictures, and reduces interference. And viewers also enjoy better sound quality.”

On the other hand, StarTimes’s also provides wide digital TV transmission network, reliable digital TV solution, abundant digital TV programs and high-quality customer services to mention.

About digital migration

While talking to the public, we realized they still people who have little information regarding digital migration and thus calling for more awareness initiatives. Previously, Digital migration refers to the switch from an analogue broadcasting system to a digital broadcasting system. This has been a world-wide move for some time now and has been driven by the International Telecommunications Union.

Furthermore, digital transition in broadcasting has the potential to improve both the quantity and quality of what is available on TV and also increases the number of people who will be able to watch it.

And it is believed that such initiates of bringing affordable decoders to the people plays a big role towards the development of digital migration as well as making quality entertainment accessible by many.

Kamanzi assured Rwandans creative and innovative digital life which is affordable by all. "We look forward to make Rwanda an enjoyable and exciting country in our digital migration,” he says.