Pakistan finalizes minimum standards for digital cable STBs

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) finalizes minimum standards for digital cable set-top boxes

ISLAMABAD — In pursuance of PEMRA’s endeavor to meet the cable TV Digitalization deadline of September 30, 2016 and to ensure the maximum facilitation and protection of subscribers’ rights, PEMRA has finalized the minimum standards / specifications for Digital cable TV set-top boxes.

The technical standards/specifications of Digital Set Top boxes have been drafted in line with international practices to safeguard the legitimate objective such as quality of service, uninterrupted operation of equipment, safety and competitiveness. The set-top box shall be compatible with and ensure compliance with the minimum technical standards as prescribed by the Authority.

PEMRA in its customized standards has made it compulsory for all cable operators and equipment providers to meet certain performance and audio/video decoding requirements, equipment conformity, electronic program guide and logical channel numbering, etc.

Once the draft standards are approved by the Authority in its upcoming meeting on March 30th, the same shall be available on PEMRA website for easy access of stakeholders including the public and subscribers.

Moreover, PEMRA is already pursuing Federal Govt., FBR and provincial governments to facilitate cable TV digitalization by offering Tax Holidays and exemptions on import of Digitalization equipment thus facilitating cable operators in meeting Digitalization deadline of September 30, 2016. The Chairman PEMRA has also held a meeting with the Chief Minister Punjab last week, whereas, a meeting with the Federal Finance Minister is scheduled next week to fetch maximum support for the cable operators converting to digitalization.

Airtel Digital TV unveils locally manufactured STBs

Airtel Digital TV has launched domestically manufactured set-top-box to expand its presence in the Indian television market.

The Bharti Enterprises’ Direct-to-Home wing has said that it is supporting the government Make in India initiative. The company added that it will reduce its dependency on imports.

The locally manufactured STBs will be available in high definition.Airtel’s STBs come with full HD support as well as MPEG-4 video with Dolby Digital Plus surround sound, unlimited recording and even Wi Fi connectivity, reports PTI.

“We are proud to partner with the government’s Make in India initiative and launch indigenous set—top—boxes made in the country. With this, we aim to reduce our imports and thus help drive employment and growth within the country,” Bharti Airtel CEO for DTH/Media, Shashi Arora said in a statement, according to Press Trust of India.

Hero Elotronix’s MyBox Tech as well as semi-conductor company, ST Microelectronics have contributed to the set-top box production. Hero Group promoters Munjal family recently bought a majority stake in set-top box maker Mybox Technologies Pvt. Ltd to expand its presence in the STB market.

“It is great that Airtel Digital TV is aligning itself with our Make in India vision as this will certainly pedal the fast gaining momentum of the initiative further. We wish the company the very best as they step ahead towards transforming the DTH industry,” Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said, according to PTI.

The rollout of digital addressable system or DAS in Phase III and IV regions is expected to increase the demand for STBs. Airtel Digital TV, which is the DTH wing of Bharti, added 1.06 million new subscribers and has a total of 10.7 million subscribers. Media reports had earlier suggested that Bharti Enterprises is trying to expand its presence in the digital TV market by entering into the set-top box segment.