Access to television could soon increase, thanks to a move by pay-TV operator and equipment vendor, StarTimes, to cut prices of television sets.

StarTimes Africa chief executive officer Jess Jing said the firm seeks to support efforts aimed at deepening access to television in the country.

Currently, only 140,000 households have television sets, according to 2010 census.

Jing also said the firm wants to give Rwandans early Christmas.

According to Hussein Kamanzi, sales and marketing director at StarTimes, said the price of a 40-inch TV set is now at RWf299,000, from Rwf325,000, while that of 32 inches goes for Rwf199,000 compared to Rwf250,000 previously. However, one has to buy the set during the promotional period, between now and February, according Kamanzi.

He said the firm has a stable network and provides customers after sales support services to ensure they enjoy its digital services and at affordable prices.

"Since television is the source of information, it’s essential that more Rwandans access this news channel to support their development endeavours,” Kamanzi said at the promotion launch on Monday in Kigali.

Cyprien Munyandamutsa, the firm’s agent in Musanze District, said the price cut will attract more people to buy TV sets.