TV signals to go digital by 2015; Delhi in line for 2012
The days of wiring your television set for a cable connection could soon be over. The information and broadcasting ministry on Thursday set a March 31, 2015 deadline for shift from analog to digital systems.
Digital cable TV will ensure better picture quality and services, choice of channels and interactive services.
The industry will benefit as the move is expected to bring greater transparency in subscriber base and reduction in carriage fees (paid by channels to cable operators). “This is the way ahead for the industry,” a government official said.
The proposal has been sent to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and will subsequently be put before the Union Cabinet for approval.
Digitization, where the feed will be received through set-top boxes, is expected to be executed in phases and the four metros of Delhi , Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai have to shift to digital addressability by March 31, 2012.
Digitization will bring set-top box prices down
The I&B ministry wants digitization of television feed by March 31, 2015. While the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai will be the first to switch from analog to digital, phase-II - that includes 35 cities with population of more than one million - will have to make the transition by March 31, 2013. All urban areas are expected to digitize by November 30, 2014 and the remaining areas by March 31, 2015.
“Digitization will help industry grow at an accelerated speed. It is the key to problems like distribution bottlenecks and under-declaration, leading to loss of subscription revenue that broadcasters face today,” said Zee News CEO Barun Das. Industry insiders said digitization would bring prices down, not just of set-top boxes but also carriage fees.
TV signals to go digital by 2015; Delhi in line for 2012 - The Economic Times
The days of wiring your television set for a cable connection could soon be over. The information and broadcasting ministry on Thursday set a March 31, 2015 deadline for shift from analog to digital systems.
Digital cable TV will ensure better picture quality and services, choice of channels and interactive services.
The industry will benefit as the move is expected to bring greater transparency in subscriber base and reduction in carriage fees (paid by channels to cable operators). “This is the way ahead for the industry,” a government official said.
The proposal has been sent to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and will subsequently be put before the Union Cabinet for approval.
Digitization, where the feed will be received through set-top boxes, is expected to be executed in phases and the four metros of Delhi , Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai have to shift to digital addressability by March 31, 2012.
Digitization will bring set-top box prices down
The I&B ministry wants digitization of television feed by March 31, 2015. While the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai will be the first to switch from analog to digital, phase-II - that includes 35 cities with population of more than one million - will have to make the transition by March 31, 2013. All urban areas are expected to digitize by November 30, 2014 and the remaining areas by March 31, 2015.
“Digitization will help industry grow at an accelerated speed. It is the key to problems like distribution bottlenecks and under-declaration, leading to loss of subscription revenue that broadcasters face today,” said Zee News CEO Barun Das. Industry insiders said digitization would bring prices down, not just of set-top boxes but also carriage fees.
TV signals to go digital by 2015; Delhi in line for 2012 - The Economic Times
