Cable TV digitisation could face political storm in 2 metros

[Bapun]

MUMBAI: Cable TV digitisation in two of the four metros singled out for rollout by 31 October could face stormy political opposition. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, recently withdrawing support from the Congress-led UPA government, has begun to roar against forcible introduction of digital set-top boxes (STBs) for any kind of TV viewing which she believes will hurt the poor.

Speaking at a rally in New Delhi, Banerjee said: "Our poor people will be ruined. They should have evolved some mechanism for this. What was the need for this decision for making mandatory the use of STBs?"

Banerjee was holding her first public rally in the national capital opposing the government's policies, including FDI (foreign direct investment) in retail.


Poor cable operators will be ruined. They will lose business. It will hurt the common man. How he will pay for STBs? Don't they (government) want the poor people to watch cable TV and have some entertainment?" she questioned.
Making a veiled reference to the recent hike in FDI in the media sector, Banerjee also said that the government was favouring private media companies.

"They have looted the country in seven days. If they are allowed, they will give information and broadcasting also to one private party," Banerjee said.


Ironically, Trinamool leader CM Jatua was a Minister of State in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry before the party withdraw its support from the UPA government.

The West Bengal CM could find a supporter in Jayalalithaa, the CM of Tamil Nadu. The state-owned Arasu Cable is not yet prepared to implement digital cable in Chennai by 31 October.

However, Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ambika Soni has ruled out extension of the sunset date for switching off analogue for cable television beyond 31 October.

According to MIB, the digitisation percentage in four metro cities has gone up to 73 per cent from 68 per cent. A claim that has been disputed by cable operators from Kolkata and Chennai who believe that the percentage is lower than what the government claims.

Indiantelevision.com's > Digital Edge> Cable TV digitisation could face political storm in 2 metros, Mamata Banerjee raises voice

 

[Biswajit.HD]

Good that New Delhi and Mumbai surging ahead at least without any political interference :gn

 

[tech_genie]

KOLKATA MAY MISS DIGITIZATION DEADLINE

KOLKATA MAY MISS DIGITIZATION DEADLINE (Source: TOI)

KOLKATA: With less than a month left for the digitization deadline, Kolkata, it seems, won't see a smooth transition as the state government is planning otherwise. According to state urban development minister Firhad Hakim, the government is opposing the rollout of digitization right now and wants to delay it. "We are opposing this system to be introduced now, as it will hit multiple consumers who are yet to install the set top boxes (STBs). I will hold a meeting with some of the MSOs on Wednesday," he said.
The state has sent a letter to the Union information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni urging her to extend the deadline for switching over to digital. As per Centre's guidelines, digitization is scheduled to come into effect in four metros - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai - from November 1. The information and broadcasting ministry has already extended the deadline for digitization from July 1 to November 1 and is unlikely to give any more leeway.
Hakim's reaction is in line with what Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had said in New Delhi on Monday. She criticized the Centre's move saying it would adversely impact the poor people as many of them may find it beyond their purchasing capacity. She also said that cable operators, who are not financially well-off, will face hard times with this digitization and end up losing business. Banerjee pointed out that poor people will be deprived of any entertainment with digitization as they do not the purchasing power to buy set-top-boxes (STB).
The government has set October 31 as the deadline for completing digitization in four metros.
Trinamool Congress leader C M Jatua was a minister of state in the information and broadcasting ministry at the Centre before the party withdrew its support from the UPA government. The industry stakeholders are quite surprised at the state's latest move and feel that the growing rift between the Centre and the state is playing a key role in the latter's demand of delaying the rollout. reason for this decision to delay rollout.
This is set to add to the woes of the cable operators and the multi service operators (MSO), who are already fearing last minute rush by the customers. Despite a flurry of advertisements by the government, customers seem to be closing their eyes to the digital switch, said MSO officials. They fear they will be swamped by a last-minute rush. And with Puja round the corner, it will be difficult to get workers.
According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), around 67% households in the city have so far opted for STBs. "We think mostly single television homes have got the STBs. The rest should Now, others with second or third television in the house may get additional STBs in time," Suresh Sethia, SitiCable director, said. However, he ruled out chances of major blackout, if the digitization rollout happens from November 1.
The major MSOs in the city are - SitiCable, Manthan and DigiCable. Industry stakeholders expect that the rollout in Delhi and Mumbai will be without hitches as in both these places the ruling parties are Congress. In Chennai, there is little unpreparedness, but the rollout is expected in time. it is will roll out on scheduled time.
Come November 1, going by the Centre's guidelines the four metro cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai - are supposed to switch over the cable television regime from analog to digital. However, it seems Kolkata would not see a smooth transition to digitization as the state is planning otherwise.

 

[Biswajit.HD]

bad for Kolkata :-/

 

[tech_genie]

Its true that any sort of change in Kolkata meets with lots of opposition & hurdles as almost every thing is politicized & unionized in the state

 

[tech_genie]

Cable digitisation: Bengal seeks another extension

:no

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has urged the Centre to extend the cable digitization deadline again stating that law and order problem could emerge if viewers, who have not installed Set Top Box (STB) fail to access cable channels. The deadline for all four metropolitan cities — Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai — ends on October 31. In Kolkata, not even 68 per cent households have installed STBs. The Centre had already extended the deadline from July 1 to November 1.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/briefly-state-cable-digitisation-bengal-seeks-another-extension/1011705/0

 

[piinku1]

Can't understand what is the strategies of UPA govt.?

Govt. only are trying to get that 12.36% service tax.

This should be left to the consumer.Those want quality,they can go for Digital cable or DTH.