In the next couple of months, people in the State will have to pay a total of not less than Rs. 2,000 crore if the government plans to provide internet, telephone and cable TV for Rs. 150 per month were implemented.
The government is planning to launch its broadband connections as a pilot project in three districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam on March 17. The broadband project will be implemented in other districts in a phased manner. In all, the government is targeting to provide these services to 12 million households (1.20 crore) in the State.
According to information, the cable operators will have to lay optic fibre connection to each customer. On average, it will cost around Rs. 2,000 per connection. Though the cable operators will have to bear the burden, it is passed on to the end users. So, the burden will be not less than Rs. 2,000 crore.
The digitization of cable services and mandatory rule to use set top box (STB) has already made a deep dent into the pockets of end users in the cities. The STBs were sold at a cost of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 depending upon the location and demand. Though the existing STBs can be used for relay of channels through proposed new optic fibre network, the people will have to shell down Rs. 1,000 to Rs.2,000 for upgrading their cable, industry sources say.
Basic services
According to information, only basic services will be provided through the much-hyped Rs. 150 package. Only free-to-air channels, which include news channels, will be relayed. Majority of entertainment channels and sports channels will not be part of the package. The telephone and internet services will also be on similar lines. The customers will have to pay additional amount for the paid channels.
Private entities like Tata Sky, Reliance Big TV are already offering this type of cable services. If entertainment channels were opted, the cable bill will come to the existing Rs. 250 per month or exceed it.
There about 900 Multi System Operators (MSOs) and 10,000 cable operators in the State. These operators provide cable services to not less than 1 crore families. Exact data is not available as complete digitization is yet to be completed.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made digitization mandatory as analogue systems have several limitations.
There are no major benefits for consumers due to the STBs and digitization. Though close to 600 channels are available, analogue systems do not allow operators to carry more than 100-150. The customers rue that the cable operators are not providing all the channels though STBs have been installed. The MSOs and LCOs have been airing the channels of their choice, the customers point out.
Pilot project in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam to be launched
