By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Transnational Ltd, the distributor in Sierra Leone for the South Africa-based satellite television provider Multi-Choice (better known as DSTV) has announced reductions in the cost of monthly subscriptions for the various categories of the products offered.
DSTV Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family, and Access are the products that would see price reductions effective 1April 2023.
Transnational SL made the announcement at a press conference held at the Country Lodge in Freetown on 16 March 2023.
DSTV Premium, which used to cost $ 82 has been reduced to 52; while Compact Plus priced at $ 53 will now cost 30. Compact will drop to $19.13 from 25.
The other products whose prices have also seen changes are Family (from $19 to $11.30) and Access (from $12 to $6.09). Other products like HDPVR, Access fees, and XtraView have seen a slight increase from 11 dollars to 11.30 dollars.
The company told journalists that the price reduction in Sierra Leone would see customers enjoy more of their favourite content.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Transnational SL, Natalia Aboud, they are constantly looking at various ways to thank their customers for their ongoing support and loyalty whilst delivering a ‘world-class’ entertainment service at “affordable” prices.
Over the past 30 years of its existence in Sierra Leone, Transnational has ensured the provision of satellite channels for customers.
The Director of Regulatory Administration at the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA), Smart I.B Kokofele noted that much as they were mandated to regulate the industry and check all illegal establishments within Sierra Leone, they did not have the knowhow as to where and how all establishments were carrying out their businesses.
He urged everyone to furnish them with information leading to the identification of those involved in illegally bringing and doing ICT business within Sierra Leone, an apparent reference to the fact that many DSTV subscribers in Sierra Leone do so from Nigeria, which has a far cheaper cost. .
He said the authority felt embarrassed for not protecting all registered businesses within Sierra Leone as he said they pay their dues to the government. He also said that the illegal entry of those business people was due to the porous borders that surround Sierra Leone.
The Acting Director of Government Information Services in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Emmanuel A.B Turay urged Sierra Leoneans to stop subscribing to Nigeria DSTV as he said they were only broadening the listenership of their products. He also urged Sierra Leoneans to make use of local content policy.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (17/03/23)
