Tanzania mulls scrapping taxes on TV decoders

By The guardian reporter

Januari Makamba, deputy minister for Communication, Science and Technology

The government is considering scrapping taxes on TV decoders to make the gadgets affordable to its people, Tanzanian deputy minister for Communication, Science and Technology Januari Makamba said on Wednesday.

The minister made the remarks when addressing the 21st annual general meeting of Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA).

Makamba told the gathering of more than 100 people from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries that after switching off the analogue system, many people are left out without access to information as they failed to meet the cost of TV decoders.

"We (Tanzania) are the pioneer in sub-Saharan Africa for our strides of moving from analogue to digital broadcasting technology. But we have a number of challenges that need to be addressed," the minister said, stating that large number of people, particularly those living outside major cities, are denied access to information because they are unable to buy TV decoders.

"Those people have the right to information, but they are unable to buy the gadgets that make them get information through their TV sets. As government we are aware of this challenge," he said.

"We are looking into possibilities of scrapping taxes on TV decoders so that poor people ably buy the gadgets," he said.

Citing other challenges, the deputy minister said there are many people who live outside the network, particularly those living in rural areas. "This also is an area that needs also to be addressed," he said.

Robert Francis, a stakeholder in broadcasting sector, called on Tanzania to ensure poor people have access to decoders.

"Right now, only six million people have the access to information. This number is very small," Francis said.

Tanzania's population is close to 45 million, hence more than 38 million people have no access to information as they cannot afford TV decoders operated by four firms, Star Times, Tanzania Integrated Network Group (TING), Continental Digital Media and Digitek.

Francis suggested the need for the government to subsidize decoders so that all poor people can have the access to the facilities.

Last December, Tanzania became the first country in mainland sub-Saharan Africa to switch off its analogue television signal and adopt the digital system. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN