14 crore STBs needed to complete final phase of digitisation

Of the 14 cr about 11 cr STBs would be required by the local cable delivery system, while the rest would be for DTH segment

About 14 crore set top boxes (STBs) would be needed to complete the final phases of government's digitisation drive, which aims to convert analogue cable TV services to the digital mode across tier II and III towns.

Of the estimated 14 crore STBs, about 11 crore STBs would be required by the local cable delivery system, while the rest would be for the direct-to-home (DTH) segment.

"Total 14 crore STBs are required to complete the final phases of digitisation. About 11 crore would be needed by cable industry and three crore by DTH industry," Information & Broadcasting Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) Supriya Sahu said.

Pointing out the benefits, she said the government revenue has increased over three-fold in areas where digitisation (under phase I and II) has been implemented.

"Tax collection from those areas has increased three times. This could not have happened if the subscription base was not made transparent. The government has much to gain from digitisation," she said while addressing CASBAA India Forum.

According to data submitted by stakeholders, the average revenue per user (ARPU) has been increased.

In Mumbai alone, there is 400 per cent jump in the subscription and 300 per cent in the collection, Sahu added.

"According to data submitted by NBA (News Broadcasters Association)and IBF (Indian Broadcasting Foundation), carriage fee payment has been reduced (following digitisation)...In my opinion, it has been reduced by 25 per cent," she said.

MSOs (large cable operators) charge a carriage fee from broadcasters to carry their channels.

Sahu added that digitisation has also helped improve the billing process and streamline the cable delivery industry.

She also urged the industry to share more data with the government, which would help in formulation of more industry-friendly policies.

Under the first phase, metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai were covered, while the second leg targeted digisation of cable TV services in 38 cities, including Ludhiana, Hyderabad, Allahabad and Amritsar.

Under Phase III and IV, the government is targeting 10 big states, which account for 77 per cent of the cable TV households in India.

These include Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.

"Our strategy would be to focus on these 10 big states, which are geographically large," she said.