Looming digitisation deadline puts cable operators in a fix

[tech_genie]

Looming digitisation deadline puts cable operators in a fix

TV broadcasters and multisystem 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-odd cities nationwide as part of the second phase but their concerns remain as digitisation in cities like Kolkata and Chennai has been partially successful.


The first phase of digitisation, which ended on December 31, 2012, covering the four metros, has been only been partially successful. 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 extension, said that set-top boxes are of inferior quality. "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.," Sharma 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 not able to meet the demand.

But 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 settop boxes, for which it would invest around Rs.300 crore. Den Networks has also lined up debt financing for 40 lakh STBs.

Source: Looming digitisation deadline puts cable operators in a fix : North, News - India Today

 

[Bishnu15]

The real problem is for the local cable operators. It is really very difficult for them to supply the adequate set top boxex with in time. Hoping for the best.

 

[me_saket]

regarding portability

it's bette to go for DTH.

bcoz it's having CI slot

and once portability allowed it will be win-win situation for both.

 

[tech_genie]

The real problem is for the local cable operators. It is really very difficult for them to supply the adequate set top boxex with in time. Hoping for the best.

The worst part is that though the Govt. have announced deadlines, they have failed to create an infrastructure inside India to produce STBs and to make things even worse, they have increased import duties on STBs!

 

[dino29]

cable ops just make an excuse about stb, reality is that they want to continue underdeclaring customers an gain profit which is only possible in analogue cable

 

[HOUSE-MD]

Before forcing the deadline has the nation ensured enough availability of the STB's? STB even if supplied will they be of a good quality or did the govt confirm that the MSO's aren't supplying a substandard Chinese STB's? If the govt imposes a ISI standard or an BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) later on the how can the MSO's resupply STB and face severe losses and if the burden is passed on to the people then can everyone dance as per the tune of the govt and pay twice or thrice for STB's?

It looks like other than pushing the deadline the govt has neither planned nor did even a basic study how to achieve their DAS dream. DAS will be a complete failure if even a few STB's report failure and people fear of buying them.

And yes, what is the Govt doing about portability? If they cant do atleast that has it clarified atleast if we get a part of the payment for the STB if we return them? SCV wants Rs 1000 for an STB and it is a connectivity charge, why are they really collecting for such a huge sum and if this is to manage their charge for their digital head end then why should people pay such a huge amount for someone else's business? and what has happened to our Rs 500 deposit that we paid when we got our cable connected several years back?

So if i change my residence every year then should i pay for the STB every year?

I learned that both Crystal (or Akshaya) and TCCL has confirmed that they will deduct a small sum and return them money when we hand over the STB back to them, but has the other MSO's done the same?