The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that according to its latest review, 55 per cent digitisation has been achieved in 38 cities that need to go digital in the second phase. The deadline for the second phase has been set for March end. The Ministry had met with Multi System Operators on Friday.
The Ministry said in a statement that according to the data received from the DTH operators and the MSOs, “a total of 87.7 lakh set-top boxes have already been installed in Phase-II cities against the target of 1.60 crore, registering an achievement of 55 per cent digitisation. Out of a total of 87.7 lakh, DTH connections accounted for 40.7 lakh, whereas cable STBs accounted for 47.0 lakh.”
While the ministry has set up a task force to monitor the digitisation process of phase II, another committee has been set up for spearheading the awareness campaign. Most television channels are running scrolls to raise consumer awareness. All India Radio is also running radio jingles on national and regional networks. The Ministry said it also has plans to run an SMS campaign, video spots as well as print advertisements.
It also said that nodal officers have been appointed by State Governments across the 38 cities that need to go digital to monitor the day-to-day progress. The Ministry is also conducting workshops for the nodal officers. The control room, linked with a toll-free number set up by the Ministry to address complaints and queries of consumers for Phase I, continues to function. The Ministry also said that it has issued provisional certificates to 30 independent MSOs to operate in Phase II cities.