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TV broadcasters and multi-system operators (MSOs) are gearing up to meet the March 31 deadline for mandatory switching from analogue to digital services in the National Capital Region, and another 30 or so cities nationwide.
The move is part of the second phase of digitisation, but concerns have been raised as the process has only been partially successful in cities like Kolkata and Chennai. The first phase, which ended on December 31, 2012, covered the four metros.
Cable operators had sought a six-month extension beyond March 31 for the second phase but the information and broadcasting ministry has refused to defer the deadline as it wants to cover the entire country by March 31, 2015.
Roop Sharma, president, Cable Operators Federation of India, who had pressed for the extension, said there is a problem with poor-quality set-top boxes.
"Set-top boxes available in the market are of low quality and do not have BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) star ratings. Cable services are not portable as well, where customers are free to change their operator," he said.
According to the ministry, over 55 per cent target has been achieved in 38 cities that are set for digitisation by March 31.
MSOs like Hathway Cable, Den Networks, Datacom, Citicable, Digicable and Hinduja Group's IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL) are procuring set-top boxes, but the suppliers are unable to meet the demand.
Direct-to-home (DTH) operators like TataSky do not seem to be facing the same problem.
"I have over 15 lakh set-top boxes in my warehouse. I have also hired 10,000 more boys to install them in 38 cities where the second phase of the digitisation is in progress," said Harit Nagpal, chief executive officer, Tata Sky.
Hathway Cable is in the process of acquiring around 45 lakh set-top boxes, for which it will invest around Rs 300 crore. Den Networks has also lined up debt financing for 40 lakh STBs.
MY BIZ: Cable guys in a fix as digital deadline looms large | Mail Online
The move is part of the second phase of digitisation, but concerns have been raised as the process has only been partially successful in cities like Kolkata and Chennai. The first phase, which ended on December 31, 2012, covered the four metros.
Cable operators had sought a six-month extension beyond March 31 for the second phase but the information and broadcasting ministry has refused to defer the deadline as it wants to cover the entire country by March 31, 2015.
Roop Sharma, president, Cable Operators Federation of India, who had pressed for the extension, said there is a problem with poor-quality set-top boxes.
"Set-top boxes available in the market are of low quality and do not have BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) star ratings. Cable services are not portable as well, where customers are free to change their operator," he said.
According to the ministry, over 55 per cent target has been achieved in 38 cities that are set for digitisation by March 31.
MSOs like Hathway Cable, Den Networks, Datacom, Citicable, Digicable and Hinduja Group's IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL) are procuring set-top boxes, but the suppliers are unable to meet the demand.
Direct-to-home (DTH) operators like TataSky do not seem to be facing the same problem.
"I have over 15 lakh set-top boxes in my warehouse. I have also hired 10,000 more boys to install them in 38 cities where the second phase of the digitisation is in progress," said Harit Nagpal, chief executive officer, Tata Sky.
Hathway Cable is in the process of acquiring around 45 lakh set-top boxes, for which it will invest around Rs 300 crore. Den Networks has also lined up debt financing for 40 lakh STBs.
MY BIZ: Cable guys in a fix as digital deadline looms large | Mail Online
