Sentech sets Philibao switch-off date

Dave Coles, eBotswana managing director, has informed Mmegi that Sentech has 90 days to re-encrypt its signal so that it does not get pirated or accessed through free-to-air Chinese decoders in Botswana. He said that Sentech has informed them that decoders like Wiztech, Philibao, Fortec Star and Vivid will be cut-off on July 1.This means Batswana will not be able to view popular channels like SABC 1, 2 and 3 free anymore.

"Their lawyers informed us last week that they are no longer pursuing the case. They said they also put an advert in South Africa saying that as of July 1, they will cease transmitting the signal to Vivid platforms. We are taking that with a pinch of salt though, we will believe when we see it happen, remember this is not the first time we hear something like this," Coles pointed out.