With only a few weeks left for the TRAI-set deadline to end, switching over to digitised cable TV services, under which set top boxes (STBs) would become mandatory for all households in Chennai, cable TV operators are in a dilemma.
While state-owned Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited is yet to start distributing STBs, private MSOs seem to make the most of it and have been busy selling STBs at ‘offer’ prices.
While a few subscribers have started to drift towards ‘Direct to Home’ (DTH) services, cable operators have expressed their concern over ACTCL losing a major chunk of the 20 lakh subscribers to private MSOs and DTH providers owing to delay in distribution of STBs.
“We are confused whether to opt for STBs of ACTCL or private MSOs. Though ACTCL convened a meeting of cable operators on September 27 and assured to start services soon, the delay has caused concern among the 20,000 cable operators in Chennai and the suburbs as the TV sets will go blank after November 1 if we do not provide STBs to our customers,” lamented an
operator from south Chennai.
At the ACTCL meeting, the authorities assured the operators that they would launch services before the deadline and insisted on collecting `500 as advance towards STBs from the subscribers.
“We have printed bill books, but we are still not sure whether to collect the advance in the name of ACTCL or SCV.
A few operators have already supplied private MSO STBs in south Chennai. Hence, ACTCL authorities should act swiftly,” said a perplexed operator.
However, ACTCL chairman Udumalai Radhakrishnan expressed confidence about launching the facility soon.
“We have already set up digitised control room, but procuring STBs is getting delayed as they have to be imported.
A few international firms have shown interest among others and will finalise the supplier within a week or two and launch services on a date selected by chief minister Jayalalithaa,” Mr Radhakrishnan told DC.
As regards STBs, we are hopeful that the Union government would extend the deadline, he said.
“There is no threat of losing connections to private operators as they also find it tough to distribute STBs and are just collecting money from the subscribers.”