Digitisation on track, reaches 93% level in 4 metros: MIB

The Ministry of Information & Broadcastin has sent technical teams to visit various headends of national level MSOs as well as independent MSOs in the four metros

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | October 31, 2012

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has released data about the level of achievement of digitisation in the four metro cities as on October 30, 2012. The overall percentage of digitization achievement in the four metro cities is now 89 per cent as far as Cable TV is concerned and with DTH, the percentage is higher at 93 per cent.

The data shows that in Delhi, Cable TV digitisation has touched 92 per cent and with DTH the percentage has gone up to 95 per cent. For Mumbai, the percentage of digitisation is 100 per cent whereas for Kolkata, Cable TV digitisation has crossed 82 per cent, and with DTH the percentage is at 85 per cent. In Chennai, Cable TV digitisation has reached 62 per cent and with DTH it goes up to 86 per cent.

MIB has sent teams comprising technical experts to visit various headends of national level Multi-System Operators (MSOs) as well as independent MSOs in the four metros. The technical teams will collect on-site data regarding preparedness of MSOs for analogue switchover to DAS (Digital Addressable System). The teams would also look at details of Subscriber Management System and Call Centre facility, etc. They would look at the systems available with the MSOs to ensure that no analogue signals are fed in the cable networks after the October 31, 2012 deadline.

MIB had launched an aggressive public awareness campaign for creating awareness among the masses about the need for set-top boxes for their Cable TV system. In addition to video and audio spots on several television channels, the Ministry had also embarked on a very aggressive SMS campaign. Six rounds of SMS campaign have already been undertaken reaching out to millions of subscribers in the four metro cities. As a further step towards digitisation, the Ministry has also been exhibiting slides in cinema halls. Hoardings have also been placed at bus shelters and toilet blocks in Delhi.

A review of the daily installation of STBs shows that the rate of installation has touched an all-time high. On October 29, 2012, about 88,000 STBs were installed, out of which more than 61,000 boxes were installed in Delhi alone.

The Control Room set up by the Ministry has been receiving on an average around 400 calls per day since October 15, 2012. The Ministry has positioned MSO representatives also to sit in the Control Room to reply to the queries of people from 8 AM to 10 PM every day. This has provided a platform for common people to address their concerns/queries on the digitisation process.

Digitisation would usher in a regime of addressability and transparency, bringing a host of exciting benefits to the consumers. Digitisation of the Cable TV network would open up several opportunities for consumers to get access to movies and games on demand as well as Internet.

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