People do not seem to be in hurry to install set top boxes (STBs) as mandated by the district administration before April 16, day when the analogue transmission of channels will cease. Several cable operators are finding it difficult to convience the rationale for going digital and the implications of going against it.
“We tried to convince people but they are too reluctant to follow what has been asked by the administration,” said Sameer of PAS cables.
However, few cable operators fear they might not cope with the eleventh hour rush when the fear of blackout will set in among the customers.
“Customers will expect instant solution to the problem once the transmission is stopped however considering the number of customers we do not have adequate manpower to oblige them as and when demanded,” said Director World Vision, Rajeev Bhatia.
Interestingly, the behaviour seems to be guided by several extensions given to the deadline for conditional access system (CAS) in Ranchi. “Customers say that the deadline will be extended further the way it has been on earlier occasions,” added Sameer.
The SDO, Ranchi, Ameet Kumar had stated the official position on the deadline and said the administration will not extend the deadline further.
Significantly, there have been complains regarding the poor quality of transmission following installation of set top boxes from several areas which has spread like a wild fire thus worsening the situation further. “People are also discouraged due to poor picture quality and broken images,” said Vijay, an employee of Worldview, a cable operator.
The slow pace of activation of set top boxes by Manthan, a set top box supplier, exposes the preparedness of the agencies involved in the implementation of CAS.
“The priority of the supplier is to activate the set top boxes purchased from open market instead of those supplied by cable operators,” said Satish Sinha, a cable operator.