Digitalization requires a new Direction

last month I mentioned about the DTH operators feeling insecure and now it is being talked about in the open by many. Even TAM has come out with the findings that analog cable subscribers prefer shifting to Digital cable rather than DTH inspite of it being touted as a better service. In my point of view, it will remain a service for the rich and elite and people staying in cable dry areas and operators should focus on that leaving cable service for masses..

March 2013

2/3/13 -- The Bombay High Court came down on the State Government for not recovering dues of Rs 77.9 million from cricket's richest body, the Board for Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Digitalisation going nowhere Budget Dampens Mood

Second Phase of digitalization will end on 31 March 2013 but state of seeding of STBs is dismal. Most of the 38 cities of this Phase have hardly reached 30% of seeding. How much can be achieved in the next one month is anyone's guess.

However, I &B Ministry is all upbeat in announcing its achievement and plans to close down second phase successfully by due date, like it did with the first phase. Reality is that scarcity of STBs has further increased in the second phase as even the big MSOs do not have the cash. Industry has not attracted any FDI so far which was expected before Digitalisation started.

Digitalisation Losing Lustre

A recent review by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has shown that more than 55% digitisation target has been achieved in 38 cities, set for digitisation by March 31st 2013.

This was expected because the same way Ministry had announced the success of Phase-I, just a month before its deadline. However Ground reality is very different. Everyone in the industry knows that even the Phase-I cities have not completed digitalization the way it was targeted. There is no addressability, the very reason DAS law was framed. No choice has yet been given to the consumers and no taxes have gone into the Government coffers.