Decoder prices finally trimmed
Government has slashed the price of digital television decoders from K20 000 (US$44) to K15 000 (US$33) following a public outcry.
Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture Kondwani Nakhumwa announced the cut on Tuesday night when Malawi was supposed to migrate from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
The switch off will render widespread TV aerials/antennas useless and the TV users will need to buy the set-top boxes (STBs) being distributed by Malawi Digital Broadcasting Limited (MDBL) through post offices to access the digital signal.
The discount is in line with Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Guidelines on Consumer Protection and Awareness adopted in June last year at the Seventh Digital Migration Forum in Botswana.
Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) executive director John Kapito welcomed the price cut as timely, but asked for an immediate ban on the importation of analogue receivers, saying it is a pity some distributers are still selling TV equipment that was supposed to be banned long ago.
Nakhumwa said his ministry is working with Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) and Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) to curb an inflow of the outdated technology.
