Just a couple of days before sunset falls on analogue cable TV in the Phase III towns of India, most multi-system operators (MSOs) are complaining of shortage of supply of digital set-top boxes (STBs). Supply could fall short by several million boxes, the head of a mid-sized MSO said on condition of anonymity. Though frantic efforts are being made to procure the STBs, their availability in appropriate numbers is suspect. Production of STBs has taken a hit. MSOs are mainly dependent on Chinese manufacturers for the STBs to make the digital switch. But the problem seems to be with the chipsets and the tuners, which are globally in short supply at the moment. “There is a supply constraint of tuners and chipsets at a global level. Though we had placed orders four months back, we are still waiting for the boxes to land. We are even airlifting the STBs. We have deployed about 400,000 STBs and would require a similar number to digitise our cable networks in Phase III towns,” said Atria Convergence Technologies chief executive officer Bala Malladi.
Read more at: http://www.televisionpost.com/cable/set-top-box-supply-shortage-as-das-phase-iii-nears-finishing-line/ | TelevisionPost.com
Read more at: http://www.televisionpost.com/cable/set-top-box-supply-shortage-as-das-phase-iii-nears-finishing-line/ | TelevisionPost.com
now it's their time to get the cut for clearance