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CHENNAI: At least 24 lakh households in Chennai continue to be without set-top boxes with the information and broadcasting ministry yet to "black out" these analog (cable television) connections despite the deadline for implementing digitization in the city having expired.
The Madras high court has ruled out any more extensions for digitization and the information and broadcasting ministry, in a recent communique, said many TV channels were running advertisements and scrolls regarding digitization, but many in the city are yet to get the set-top-boxes (STBs).
According to sources, about three lakh STBs were distributed in the city by various Multi System Operators (MSOs) to customers against the total subscriber base of 30 lakh. "Only six lakh homes in the city have been digitized and these include direct-to-home (DTH) connections," said D Vivekanandan, MD of the state-owned Arasu Cable TV Corporation, an MSO.
Arasu Cable, which has about two lakh analog connections is yet to obtain a licence for the digital addressable system in Chennai which has seven major MSOs, including Sumangali Cable Vision, Tamil Nadu Cable Communications and Jak Network. Many residents feel getting a digital connection is "too costly." "If I watch about 90 channels clearly from my analog connection with Arasu Cable, why should I go for a set-top box," asks S Kathiravan, a resident of Anna Nagar.
Tamizaga Cable TV Operator's General Welfare Association state president P Sakilan wondered why the I&B ministry had not taken steps to dismantle analog signals. "There will be clarity in digitization only if analog channels are blacked out," he said.
With the Madras HC deciding not to interfere in the Arasu Cable's struggle to obtain a DAS licence, the fate of the corporation remains unclear. The company has already procured 50,000 set-top-boxes and invested about 40 crore.
24 lakh houses in Chennai still without set-top boxes - The Times of India
The Madras high court has ruled out any more extensions for digitization and the information and broadcasting ministry, in a recent communique, said many TV channels were running advertisements and scrolls regarding digitization, but many in the city are yet to get the set-top-boxes (STBs).
According to sources, about three lakh STBs were distributed in the city by various Multi System Operators (MSOs) to customers against the total subscriber base of 30 lakh. "Only six lakh homes in the city have been digitized and these include direct-to-home (DTH) connections," said D Vivekanandan, MD of the state-owned Arasu Cable TV Corporation, an MSO.
Arasu Cable, which has about two lakh analog connections is yet to obtain a licence for the digital addressable system in Chennai which has seven major MSOs, including Sumangali Cable Vision, Tamil Nadu Cable Communications and Jak Network. Many residents feel getting a digital connection is "too costly." "If I watch about 90 channels clearly from my analog connection with Arasu Cable, why should I go for a set-top box," asks S Kathiravan, a resident of Anna Nagar.
Tamizaga Cable TV Operator's General Welfare Association state president P Sakilan wondered why the I&B ministry had not taken steps to dismantle analog signals. "There will be clarity in digitization only if analog channels are blacked out," he said.
With the Madras HC deciding not to interfere in the Arasu Cable's struggle to obtain a DAS licence, the fate of the corporation remains unclear. The company has already procured 50,000 set-top-boxes and invested about 40 crore.
24 lakh houses in Chennai still without set-top boxes - The Times of India
