Television Access to Rural Areas Vital for Information and Awareness. BASIL

Press Statement

Deputy Opposition Leader and Member for Bulolo Sam Basil said that information, news and awareness on government programs, general events and news is vital for development of the country. Also, it is important for the education of our children and assists in their world views and perspective that will shape the future of the country.

On behalf of the people of Bulolo, surrounding districts and Morobe Province, I thank EMTV for presentation of EMTV decoders that will enable the people to have access to real events with pictures to complement the print and radio media as well as social media, which people pay to subscribe to access.

Being here today to receive the EMTV Decoders shows the commitment my District has to telecommunication in ensuring dissemination of information, issues, and current affairs in Papua New Guinea, the region and the world to my people of Bulolo District.

Upon the announcement of EMTV to change its decoders that will enhance the signal quality for its viewers, we (Bulolo District) acted responsibly and paid for the decoders as the district cannot wait to be left in the dark. We have to flow and run with the changes in order to keep our people on par with Port Moresby and Lae residents.

Mr Basil said currently we have Transmission setup in Mumeng LLG, Buang LLG, Bulolo & Wau Township for wireless transmission whilst Baiune and Leklu Villages are on Cable network. Garaina station and Watut will have their transmission piggy backed on the current VSAT systems and will be installed soon.

Information, news and awareness comes with a cost and and maintenance and license fees, which is unaffordable to our ordinary people. Before I provide details of costs, I would like to call upon the Government through the Minister for Communications, Hon. Jimmy Miringtoro to start looking at options to make EMTV and Kundu 2 and other television services more affordable to the bulk of the rural populace.

This can be done by subsidising cost to engage the transmission of Kundu 2 and EMTV onto a better satellite systems. Satellites that transmit BBC World news, ABC, Lotus Macau, MTV plus others on a Free to Air (FTA) programs that are informative and educational to our people.

Anybody can set up their system in their backyard for at least under K1000.00. However, the current cost associated in establishing EMTV and Kundu 2 is astronomical and not affordable for ordinary Papuan New Guineans.

Kundu 2 costs about K70, 000.00 for initial installation and then there is monthly rental charges on the VSAT system. If my district wants to have Kundu 2 signal retransmitted on a 100 Watt VHF Transmitter to give wireless access to my people, the cost is expected to be K150,000.00 plus. There is also a NICTA charge yearly for the use of Kundu 2 VHF frequency.

On the other hand, EMTV cost about K25,000.00 for the installation of a cable network setup for a village but would at least cost almost K300,000.00 plus to retransmit on a 200 Watt VHF Transmitter for wireless access. There is also a NICTA charge of K26, 000.00 which the district pays yearly for the retransmission of signals using EMTV VHF frequency. If the District does not receives its DSIP funds on timely manner, the people will suffer as service providers must be paid. Otherwise, the people will be forced to contribute, which is a huge administrative burden covering wide area.

EMTV has coverage in almost all centres of Papua New Guinea and that must be encouraged to continue. Kundu 2 is struggling to reach to the rural populace and therefore I take this time to once again call on the Minister for Communication and his department to seriously assist in all ways possible to help Kundu 2 extend its coverage to the entire country and make it affordability for both services (Kundu 2 & EMTV) cheaper for ordinary Papua New Guineans.

My people have access to radio and program content must have development aspects and national content and patriotism. Whilst print media takes time to reach our people, this are a must for the people. My JDBPPC is looking at engaging with print media to have once a week newspaper delivered to all the councilors and LLG office so that the people have access to radio, television and print media. What is not captured in the television can be accessed from radio or newspaper or vice versa.

In conclusion, news, information, awareness and entertainment is vital for our children's education as well as the people to use it for their betterment and the progress of the country.

Sam Basil, MP 
Deputy Opposition Leader 
Member for Bulolo