This is hailed as the biggest technology shifting of TV broadcast after the colour television.

Speaking at the launch in Nairobi, President Mwai Kibaki noted that with the migration to the new digital system was possible to dedicate channels to varied content on specialized topics such as the youth, sports, education, tourism, science and culture.

He commended the migration to digital broadcasting because the new technology would free many frequencies to enable more players and new applicants in the industry to benefit from the national resource whose demand cannot be currently catered for.

"Some of the benefits include superior image and sound clarity, interactive communication, and data broadcasting. Moreover, there will be the freeing up of more frequencies and increased opportunities for innovation and creativity," said Kibaki.

"The International Telecommunications Union requires all countries to move to digital by 2015. However, Kenya will fully migrate by 2012," said Kibaki.

Digital Television provides better picture and sound quality as opposed to analogue. It also offers multiple programming called multi casting, and interactive capabilities.

Viewers with analogue TV sets will connect a converter box to receive digital signals.

The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has been licensed to relay digital signals starting Wednesday for Nairobi, while the target for a full switch over will be June 2012, three years earlier than the worldwide deadline of 2015.

-APA