The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) expects the digitisation of nationwide cable network in India to be completed well ahead of the recommended deadline of 2014.
“I will not be surprised if the last phase of digitisation gets over by December 2013,” said Dr J.S. Sarma, Chairman, TRAI.
Speaking to a group of journalists on the sidelines of the 2-day FICCI Media & Entertainment Business Conclave here, he said once the National Broadband Plan (nation-wide fibre optic network) is completed, which is likely by the end of 2013, digitisation would be made all the more easy… “one has to simply plug into the fibre optic network.”
He also suggested that the public-private-partnership model would be the best way to fund the fibre optic networking project. Saying that it will be a profitable venture, he suggested that every city administration may in tie-up with some local service providers, and can execute the networking project in their respective cities.
For rural areas, the respective State Government may float an SPV for the purpose, he said. After which, everything will fall in line and there will be a complete digital eco system in place. Digitised, cable operators will be able to offer at least 400 channels. They should actually look beyond just offering cable TV services, he said.
To a question on the availability of set-top boxes, he said there's no sign of any shortage of set-top boxes at present, “nor do I see any in future. In fact, set-top boxes would be available at sub-$20,” he said.
Responding to a question on channel tariff, he said ideally it should be left to the market forces. “The entire tariff structure will become much more driven by the market demand and supply mechanism.”