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PUNE: About 2.50 lakh cable TV subscribers have been added in the district since digitalization done in March 2013 which makes it compulsory to install set top boxes.
Earlier it was difficult for the government to know the exact number of cable subscribers as there was no control over transmission. However from March 31, 2013, the government made it compulsory for every cable subscriber to purchase a set top box (STB). The move has helped bring in more transparency and a check on illegal practices where cable operators could hide the exact number of subscribers.
The district administration said that as per the latest report there are over 8.30 lakh registered cable TV subscribers in the five districts of the Pune revenue division, which includes Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara. Pune tops with highest number of subscribers (around 4.80 lakh) followed by Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara. These districts collectively have around 3.5 lakh subscribers, a district collectorate official said.
After compulsion of set top box, the government now has made it mandatory for cable operators to offer choice of channels (bouquet) to customers. A city-based cable operator said, "We already have gathered basic information about every subscriber through a customer application form (CAF). Recently, we gave choice bouquet of channels to customers. The pricing/fares of bouquets depends on number of channels a customer wants from a list of free and paid channels. Most customers have filled the choice forms," an operator said.
A cable operator said that initially customers resisted the move from analog to digital. "We explained them the government norms and the choice of channels they will get. Even commercial establishments, hotels and bulk connections in residential societies were asked to fill the choice forms," the operator said.
With an increase in subscriber base, the administration now plans to conduct regular meetings with cable operators and multi system operators (MSO) to make sure customers get the best viewing experience with least obstacles.
Digitization boosts cable TV subscriber base by over 2 lakh - The Times of India
..
Earlier it was difficult for the government to know the exact number of cable subscribers as there was no control over transmission. However from March 31, 2013, the government made it compulsory for every cable subscriber to purchase a set top box (STB). The move has helped bring in more transparency and a check on illegal practices where cable operators could hide the exact number of subscribers.
The district administration said that as per the latest report there are over 8.30 lakh registered cable TV subscribers in the five districts of the Pune revenue division, which includes Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara. Pune tops with highest number of subscribers (around 4.80 lakh) followed by Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara. These districts collectively have around 3.5 lakh subscribers, a district collectorate official said.
After compulsion of set top box, the government now has made it mandatory for cable operators to offer choice of channels (bouquet) to customers. A city-based cable operator said, "We already have gathered basic information about every subscriber through a customer application form (CAF). Recently, we gave choice bouquet of channels to customers. The pricing/fares of bouquets depends on number of channels a customer wants from a list of free and paid channels. Most customers have filled the choice forms," an operator said.
A cable operator said that initially customers resisted the move from analog to digital. "We explained them the government norms and the choice of channels they will get. Even commercial establishments, hotels and bulk connections in residential societies were asked to fill the choice forms," the operator said.
With an increase in subscriber base, the administration now plans to conduct regular meetings with cable operators and multi system operators (MSO) to make sure customers get the best viewing experience with least obstacles.
Digitization boosts cable TV subscriber base by over 2 lakh - The Times of India
..
