The Indian state of Maharashtra will have to deploy 5.5 million set-top-boxes (STBs) to achieve 100% cable digitization in Phase III and IV rollout. The state accomplished 100% digitization in Phase I and II cities – with multiple STBs accounting for 19-21% of the total and HD-ready STBs just 2%. However, the Maharashtra Cable Operator Federation (MCOF) estimates that HD penetration will increase to 40-45% in next two years with HD-ready TV’s purchases increasing day-by-day.
“Seeding of STBs is on-going, however the objective of DAS to offer flexibility to end users in picking up and choosing channels still has a long way to go,” said Federation president Arvind Prabhoo. The Federation has also urged the Indian Government to reduce the level of entertainment tax in the state from INR 45 (USD 0.73) – the highest in India.
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