Set Top Box - Operators ask for time, authorities day noy possible

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Dec 31, 2015: Sathyajith Surathkal, associate of  Den UCN Network Private Limited, has demanded an extension of the deadline to install set top boxes.

He said that State government should extend the deadline by three months as installing set top boxes for the implementation of  DAS - digital addressable system in Phase III towns is difficult before December 31," he said, speaking to media.  he added that MSO - multi-system operator extends from Byndoor till Suratkal. The stretch covers Udupi, Saligrama, Kundapur, Mulki and Suratkal towns, where digitisation has to be completed under the Phase III of the government circular. About 80 per cent of the households in urban areas have already installed  STB -set top boxes.

There is shortage of STBs. The supply is short of the demands. Initially, they came from  China, now, it takes 40 to 45 days for the supply of STBs once the orders are placed. It would be difficult to install 20 per cent of STBs with limited time. Even if three to four teams with knowledge on STB installation work for the whole day, they can cover only 20 to 25 houses.

 MSOs require two lakh set top boxes, of which 80,000 have been installed so far. Three months’ time to install 1.20 lakh STBs is essential.

A memorandum has already been submitted to MP Shobha Karandlaje and the DC, seeking three months’ extended time to complete the digitisation process.

Udupi Additional DC  Channabasappa, however, insisted that cable operators should install set top box by December 31. Extension of the time is not possible. If the STBs are not installed, then the cable will be disconnected.