Telecom Lead India: India’s cable TV digitization initiatives have achieved 87 percent progress by cable TV and DTH operators.
Over 80 percent cable TV digitization has been achieved in the four metros – Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. This figure rises up to 87 percent if the progress made by Direct-To-Home (DTH) is also taken into account.
DTH operators have informed that 27 lakh boxes have been installed so far in the four metro cities.
Cable services in the country’s four metros are slated to go completely digital by November 1 as per the deadline set by the government.
Mumbai accounts for almost 100 percent.
The I&B ministry said an analysis of data and the progress review showed that Mumbai has already achieved nearly 100 percent digitization.
Kolkata has achieved 78 percent digitization in cable alone and combined with DTH penetration, the percentage of digitization in the city has gone up to 81 percent.
In Delhi there was 74 percent digitization of cable services while Chennai was showing figures 60 percent which grew to 85 percent if DTH was included, said the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Friday.
The ministry claimed that as per the data provided by Multi System Operators, about 45,000 Set Top Boxes (STBs) are being installed daily in the designated four metros. Cable TV households have to get a STB installed to go digital.
The I&B ministry has launched an aggressive publicity campaign in the electronic and print media to spread awareness in this regard. The ministry said that stakeholders had stepped up efforts to ensure that the deadline of October 31 is met.
Meanwhile, Hathway on Friday said it has undertaken multiple initiatives to make the consumer aware that digitization is affordable and will take TV viewing experience to the next level. Marketing activities including advertising placements in mainstream print publications across the country, outdoor advertising and even door-to-door campaigns are being conducted to educate the consumers.
Hathway has recently announced its consumer friendly Digital Value Packages packages for its customers in Delhi and Mumbai.
