Chinese digital television provider Star Times Media has extended its services to Mombasa and its environs.

This becomes the third region where the company has officially opened its doors after Nairobi and Kisumu as it eyes to be in seven major towns by the end of 2012.

Startimes and main rival GoTv are taking each other head on ahead on the planned switch over from analogue to the digital television platform being spearheaded by the government. GoTv which is owned by Multichoice has also launched in the three regions recently.

The company said it plans to employ over 1,000 Kenyan staff members by 2015 as it extends to the largely untapped digital television market. All the free to air channels currently available on analogue in Kenya are now available on digital technology in all the StarTimes packages. It is offering an initial retail price of Sh 2,999 and the lowest subscription package at Sh499.