Sarthak Kanjilal & Nachiketa
Port Blair, July 30: Cable operators in A & N Islands are all set to introduce Digitalization of cable network from September, 2012 onwards but nobody knows why it is being introduced. There are others who are questioning why they have been asked to buy costly set-top boxes at astronomically high rates and why suddenly the cable charges will be increased many fold?
More than 20 thousands homes in Port Blair are receiving programmes via analog networks will need to switch to digital set-top boxes beginning September, 2012 as per the amended Cable TV Network (Regulation) Act of the Govt of India. The Digital technology will offer improved quality of transmission and greater choice of content, albeit at a higher cost to consumer.
When contacted Mr Prakash, Sunshine Cable Operator, stated that they are transporting MPEG-4 HD set top boxes, which cost very high being the branded box with one year warranty. MPEWG-4-HD will have the facilities like USB, recording system, learning remote etc.
Mr. Dinakaran, Guru Cable Operator emphasised that everywhere at Chennai MPEG-2 SD is being used but for islanders we are buying MPEG-4-HD keeping future in mind, which costs Rs. 1682/-.
We bought set box by paying $29 US Dollor at that time when the cost of per dollor was Rs. 57.25/. – But the islander has to pay Rs. 2400/-for per set top box as more than Rs. 800/- will be against custom, sea fares and octori charges.
There are more bad news for Islanders, no matter how many televisions we have but for every television we have to install a set top box.
As per TRAI, there are three schemes of supply of Set Top Boxes (STBs) i.e. (1) Hire purchase, (2) Rental and (3) Outright purchase. A costumer can pay Rs 850 up front, and the rest in instalments.
Neither the Administration nor any other agencies have propagated the TRAI Regulation “Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems” for the awareness of general public.
Now it is high time for our Lt Governor to interfere into this matter and order all the cable operators and the District Administration to follow TRAI rules strictly. Islanders urge the LG to exempt these set top boxes from octori or any other taxes so that it become affordable to all Islanders.
