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KANPUR: The anticipation of government that digitization would gather pace after the deadline fell flat in city where only 52,000 Set top boxes (STBs) have been installed in the last fortnight. With around 50,000 STBs yet to installed here, the cable operators have sought more time, citing shortage of STBs.
As per the guidelines of telecom regulatory authority of India (TRAI), the subscribers who do not have a STB installed, would not be able to watch TV channels through network after the scheduled date. The deadline of digital switchover was scheduled to end on March 31.The government did not directly extended the deadline but allowed the cable operators to open analog signals to avoid any law and order problem. The district administration had allowed extra time to the cable operators to install STBs.
Multi service operators (MSOs) claim to have already given adequate number of set top boxes to cable operators for 'complete digitization', the latter are lamenting over shortage of STBs.According to the cable operator, the shortage of STBs resulted in slow pace of digitization. "I have made several requests to our cable operators for installation of STB but despite assurance no one has come to my house so far," said Uday, a resident of Shyam Nagar. Swati from Kidwai Nagar and Minakshi from Rail Bazaar have similar complaints.
"More than a fortnight back I asked a cable operator to install a STB. I have been told that there are no STBs. Now we would have to pay more for no fault of ours," said Shalu, another resident of Rail Bazaar.
According to the district entertainment authorities, as many as 50,500 STB have been installed in the city in last 15 days, after the end of digitization deadline. The demand of STB is still high in the city after the digital switchover. The prices of the STBs are around 1200 rupees presently.
As the total target was to install 3 lakh STB in the city, around 50 thousand are yet to be installed here. The shortage of STB is hitting the process, added entertainment department officials.
"The customers have to pay 1300 to get STB as 1200 is the real cost and 100 rupees will be charged for installation." informed Ramesh Babu, deputy commissioner, entertainment.
Cable operators overworked: With over 50,000 families and two lakh cable viewers in the city still without set top boxes, it will take another month for all households to receive fully digitized transmission. This means the whole of April and May will be a busy month for technicians who install STBs. "It takes about an hour to install set top box. This way, if we have to cover all the households, it will take around a month to finish installation," said Raju Dixit, cable operators in Yashoda Nagar.
On an average, one person can install as many as 15 set top boxes in a day. Sanjay Singh, another cable operator, said: "The installation depends on the type of wiring. The problem is that old cable wires do not support set top boxes. In such a situation, we have to change the wiring." Cable operators say that these workers will be overworked. "Their work has definitely increased after installation of digitized set top boxes was made mandatory," said Sonu, a cable operator.DTH connectors are also doing brisk business as those not opting for STBs are going for direct-to-home connections. Vivek Kumar, a DTH dealer said: "Installation of one DTH connection requires at least 3-4 hours as one has to do everything right from installing new wires to checking signals. We have four employees. Now the work had increased and they are unable to visit all the customers in a day. We are planning to hire a few more workers."
50,000 Set top boxes still to be installed - The Times of India
.
As per the guidelines of telecom regulatory authority of India (TRAI), the subscribers who do not have a STB installed, would not be able to watch TV channels through network after the scheduled date. The deadline of digital switchover was scheduled to end on March 31.The government did not directly extended the deadline but allowed the cable operators to open analog signals to avoid any law and order problem. The district administration had allowed extra time to the cable operators to install STBs.
Multi service operators (MSOs) claim to have already given adequate number of set top boxes to cable operators for 'complete digitization', the latter are lamenting over shortage of STBs.According to the cable operator, the shortage of STBs resulted in slow pace of digitization. "I have made several requests to our cable operators for installation of STB but despite assurance no one has come to my house so far," said Uday, a resident of Shyam Nagar. Swati from Kidwai Nagar and Minakshi from Rail Bazaar have similar complaints.
"More than a fortnight back I asked a cable operator to install a STB. I have been told that there are no STBs. Now we would have to pay more for no fault of ours," said Shalu, another resident of Rail Bazaar.
According to the district entertainment authorities, as many as 50,500 STB have been installed in the city in last 15 days, after the end of digitization deadline. The demand of STB is still high in the city after the digital switchover. The prices of the STBs are around 1200 rupees presently.
As the total target was to install 3 lakh STB in the city, around 50 thousand are yet to be installed here. The shortage of STB is hitting the process, added entertainment department officials.
"The customers have to pay 1300 to get STB as 1200 is the real cost and 100 rupees will be charged for installation." informed Ramesh Babu, deputy commissioner, entertainment.
Cable operators overworked: With over 50,000 families and two lakh cable viewers in the city still without set top boxes, it will take another month for all households to receive fully digitized transmission. This means the whole of April and May will be a busy month for technicians who install STBs. "It takes about an hour to install set top box. This way, if we have to cover all the households, it will take around a month to finish installation," said Raju Dixit, cable operators in Yashoda Nagar.
On an average, one person can install as many as 15 set top boxes in a day. Sanjay Singh, another cable operator, said: "The installation depends on the type of wiring. The problem is that old cable wires do not support set top boxes. In such a situation, we have to change the wiring." Cable operators say that these workers will be overworked. "Their work has definitely increased after installation of digitized set top boxes was made mandatory," said Sonu, a cable operator.DTH connectors are also doing brisk business as those not opting for STBs are going for direct-to-home connections. Vivek Kumar, a DTH dealer said: "Installation of one DTH connection requires at least 3-4 hours as one has to do everything right from installing new wires to checking signals. We have four employees. Now the work had increased and they are unable to visit all the customers in a day. We are planning to hire a few more workers."
50,000 Set top boxes still to be installed - The Times of India
.
