DTH Operator portability to be launched by Hong Kong firm

IndianMascot

Core Member
As the cable television digitisation process gains pace, TV viewers may soon enjoy the option to switch between different direct-to-home (DTH) operators.

And by June, Hong Kong-headquartered SMIT Corporation plans to launch the device, allowing portability between service providers, here in India.

According to Himanshu Sharma, Country Manager, India, SMIT Corporation, the card-like device, called conditional access module (CAM), can be inserted in the box.

“The CAM device facilitates inter-operability and we will be launching it in India in June,” Sharma said.

According to market sources, such a phenomenon may create more competition among DTH players.

SMIT is in talks with TRAI and other regulatory authorities as well as a couple of DTH operators for introducing the device here.

Interestingly, the concept is not new to India. Dish TV, in its early days, had introduced a similar offering but it failed to light up the DTH market.

The company, Sharma said, is planning to introduce a chip (a pen-drive type device) that allows TV sets to operate without set-top boxes. TVs, however, need to be compatible by having a digital tuner installed in it.

The company is already in talks with two major TV manufacturers for introduction of digital TVs.

This concept (of reducing dependence on set-top boxes) too is not new. Dhoot-promoted Videocon had introduced the idea of TVs without set-top boxes. The idea, however, failed to garner interest.

Anjali M Nanda, Executive Vice-President, Marketing, Dish TV, said such device could hardly capture the Indian market as availability of TV sets with digital tuner is minuscule here.


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whitebunny

Core Member
DTH portability is badly required in India as many users are struck with DTH operators they have piled up STB's in their houses. I have Tatasky,Dishtv tru HD and now D2h HD :D . I have to carry boxes where ever I go. I would prefer carrying one box rather than multiple and increasing mine luggage.
 

IndianMascot

Core Member
Seriously and before it become too late TRAI and I&B Ministry should implement portability system asap.

With more than 100 million Digital TV viewership by next year, they need to take initiatives fast enough .
 

gappa

Newbie
i heard the similar news since last two years.I think trai delibratly trying to delay the mattre .

Any letest devlopment????
 

scorpionking76

EntMnt Knight
Adding to this operators need to buy back the used set top box as per depreciated market value from the customer when a customer opts to part ways. This will ensure the operators have sufficient set top boxes minimising their operation cost, and these old hardwares can be refurbrished and sold as OOW (Out of warranty) to existing customers.
 

IndianMascot

Core Member
but still the issue remains same backward compatibilty

STB being provided are of cheap quality and won't survive for more than 5 years. Also, mechanism can be introduced where portable portability solution can done.

a Sim Card slot with USB port or something like that may provide DTH portability solution for India.
 
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