Posted:
LUCKNOW: Television sets in nearly 50% of over five lakh cable subscribing households in the city went blank due to shortage in supply of set-top boxes required for switchover from the analog to the digital cable system on Sunday midnight. The blackout began with the expiry of March 31 deadline for installation of the set-top boxes (STBs). The signals for analog system were stopped by the cable network agencies as per the order of the Union information and broadcasting ministry.
However, late on Monday night, the agencies were forced to resume supply of analog signals of a few popular news andentertainment channels following law and order problem in some areas. People laid siege to offices of cable operators demanding immediate installation of STBs or resume telecast. A delegation of operators reportedly apprised district administration about the crisis and requested senior officials to work out an arrangement to resume telecast of some channels for a particular period in the evening till installation of STBs was complete in the city.
However, sources said that officials gave verbal orders in view of the crisis. While refusing to comment on the issue, they admitted off-the-record that though the resumption of analog system was against the Centre's order, they had to do something to solve the problem, at least for the time being.
Consumers were angry because most of them had either paid installation charges to the operators or had at least initiated the process of ordering STBs. Many were hoping till last minute for some relief from the Centre after chief minister Akhilesh Yadavwrote to the Central government to extend the deadline for six months in public interest. However, transmission of analog signals was stopped not only in Lucknow but also in six other cities of the state - Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Agra, Ghaziabad and Meerut. Seven cities in UP are among 38 cities across the 14 states where analog system was replaced by digitalise cable TV from March 31 midnight.
Consumers, welfare committees and cable associations have together condemned the movesaying that stopping cable service without ensuring sufficient supply of STBs is an insensitive and unilateral decision on the part of the ministry. TOI had earlier reported about supply crunch of STBs in India due to burgeoning demand from across 38 cities under deadline pressure. The condition on Monday worsened with more than two and a half lakh households still deprived of STBs in Lucknow out of the total subscription base of around five lakh.
Ambika Prasad Ojha, president of cable service consumer protection committee said, "This is quite an undemocratic move where the entire power to raise prices at their own wish is vested with one or two suppliers of the country. They have arbitraily raised charges in the past while TRAI's recommendations to GOI clearly states that these boxes come for only around Rs 600."
The government says that the increased activation charge from Rs 999 to now Rs 1199 is because of the increased import duty. "The duties increased up to 10% on Monday. Technically only new consignments should have the revised price. Then why are the operators charging more money for old boxes that were imported long back," he asks.
Consumers are miffed by the fact that the ministry has stopped the signal without considering the fact that boxes are unavailable in the city. A few subscribers have even complained that cable operators were charging more than the official quoted price. "After my TV screen went black, a cable operator said he would install it for Rs 1,600 within half an hour. As we could not afford it, we contacted other cable operators," said Nidhi Singh, an LLB (Hons) student. If the supply is really short then how come operators claim to install same machines at higher rates, she asks.
The consumer protection committee says that the spurt in black-marketing hints at intentional hoarding of STBs so that market forces could come into play and increase the prices of these units. Even consumers feel that cable operators and MSOs have created a hoax about supply shortage as this would lead to increase in the activate charge post deadline. A consumer said, "There should be a scrutiny into daily supply of STBs which would reveal many hidden truths about the cable industry." Consumers have also complained about operators avoiding them after taking money from them or pretending to be too busy to install these boxes.
There is another aspect of the problem. Many subscribers complain that even after installing the STB, transmission of few channels has been completely stopped after Mar 31. A customer said, "Transmission of a prime channel -- Sony -- and its related channels have been stopped. Even 'Food & Food' and 'S-TV' are unreachable." Sana Idris, a working woman, said, "Apart from a news channel with blur telecast, everything has gone blank. Children are disappointed as they are unable to watch their favourite cartoon show."
In Lucknow, two players operate in STB market. One is Delhi based 'Den' which operates through three networks - BM Magic, Den Mahavir and Den Enjoy, with around 90% market share. The other player is Mumbai based 'Digicable Lucknow Nine'.
Jeevan Khanna, JV partner of Digicable Lucknow Nine and director of UP says that they have been able to deliver boxes to only 35% households. "We are struggling with the poor supply and regular consumer complaints at the same time."
The market leader Den Enjoy however dismisses any shortage theory saying that the company is readily providing boxes to all its JV partners. It's the JV partners in the city like Mahavir and 'BM Magic' who are unwilling to pay Rs 2,000 per unit to the company which has led to supply shortage. Sanjeev Dixit, JV partner with Den Enjoy said, "Den charges Rs 2000 while JV partners only get Rs 1000 per STB. Hence most of them are unwilling to place bulk order and that is why are unable to timely provide boxes." He says that Den Enjoy have covered almost 70% of their subscribers and they are installing boxes at older rate of Rs 999.
A senior inspector in entertainment tax department of said, "The CM had sent a letter to the ministry three days back requesting extension of the deadline. The proposal is under consideration and a final word from the government shall come in few days. He confirmed that around two lakh households are still left from STB coverage and the target should be completed by next month if operators honestly install 10,000-15,000 boxes every day.
Quotes:
Sandeep Shukla, a private executive said, "I have paid the amount for set-top box last week but still cable operator has not yet installed it." He owns three TV sets but has paid for only one unit due to non-availability of set-top box.
Due to acute shortage of set-top boxes, few cable operators are taking advantage of the situation. They are installing devices after charging a higher price. "After my TV screen went black, a cable operator said he would install it for Rs 1,600 within half an hour. As we could not afford it, we contacted other cable operators," said Nidhi Singh, a LLB (Hons) student. The device was installed at her home on Monday noon at Rs 1200.
Most of the cable operators are either avoiding or are unreachable even after collecting the money. "About ten days back, the operator told us that he would come soon to install device at our home. After no response from him from for many days, we tried to contact him but he is not taking our calls and mostly his phone is switched off," said Sapna Shukla, a college student.
Families which have more than one TV set in their homes are finding installation of set-top expensive. Nidhi Singh who owns two TV sets said, "Currently, we have got only one set-top box as purchasing two would be costly. Government should offer some discount to people who have more than one TV." Singh added it would lead to more arguments and fight in families as each member in the family has different interest.
Anubhav Srivastava, a private executive said "I have four TV sets at my home. Even after supply shortage, I would prefer to install set-top box rather than taking DTH connection as the former is more economical for people having more than one TV set. Out of four, he got only two-set top boxes installed even after applying for four units.
Sana Idris, a working woman said, "Apart from a news channel with blur telecast, everything has gone blank. Children are disappointed as they are unable to watch their favourite cartoons during holidays."
* More than two and a half lakh households still deprived from set-top boxes due to poor supply
* Cable signal to their TV sets has stopped from midnight of Sunday
* CM's request to GOI for extending deadline of installing set-top box still is under consideration
* Consumers have even complained about transmission of few channels like 'Food & Food', 'Sony' getting stopped even after installing set-top boxes post Mar 31
* Consumers claim there is an increase in black marketing activities of set-top boxes after Mar 31
* Market leader Den Enjoy dismisses shortage theory, claims Den is readily providing boxes but JV partners in Lucknow are unwilling to buy them at Rs 2000 as they are selling it at Rs 1000 only
* Two major players Den Enjoy and Digicable Lucknow Nine have been able to provide set-top boxes to only 70% and 35% of their subscriber base respectively.
However, late on Monday night, the agencies were forced to resume supply of analog signals of a few popular news andentertainment channels following law and order problem in some areas. People laid siege to offices of cable operators demanding immediate installation of STBs or resume telecast. A delegation of operators reportedly apprised district administration about the crisis and requested senior officials to work out an arrangement to resume telecast of some channels for a particular period in the evening till installation of STBs was complete in the city.
However, sources said that officials gave verbal orders in view of the crisis. While refusing to comment on the issue, they admitted off-the-record that though the resumption of analog system was against the Centre's order, they had to do something to solve the problem, at least for the time being.
Consumers were angry because most of them had either paid installation charges to the operators or had at least initiated the process of ordering STBs. Many were hoping till last minute for some relief from the Centre after chief minister Akhilesh Yadavwrote to the Central government to extend the deadline for six months in public interest. However, transmission of analog signals was stopped not only in Lucknow but also in six other cities of the state - Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Agra, Ghaziabad and Meerut. Seven cities in UP are among 38 cities across the 14 states where analog system was replaced by digitalise cable TV from March 31 midnight.
Consumers, welfare committees and cable associations have together condemned the movesaying that stopping cable service without ensuring sufficient supply of STBs is an insensitive and unilateral decision on the part of the ministry. TOI had earlier reported about supply crunch of STBs in India due to burgeoning demand from across 38 cities under deadline pressure. The condition on Monday worsened with more than two and a half lakh households still deprived of STBs in Lucknow out of the total subscription base of around five lakh.
Ambika Prasad Ojha, president of cable service consumer protection committee said, "This is quite an undemocratic move where the entire power to raise prices at their own wish is vested with one or two suppliers of the country. They have arbitraily raised charges in the past while TRAI's recommendations to GOI clearly states that these boxes come for only around Rs 600."
The government says that the increased activation charge from Rs 999 to now Rs 1199 is because of the increased import duty. "The duties increased up to 10% on Monday. Technically only new consignments should have the revised price. Then why are the operators charging more money for old boxes that were imported long back," he asks.
Consumers are miffed by the fact that the ministry has stopped the signal without considering the fact that boxes are unavailable in the city. A few subscribers have even complained that cable operators were charging more than the official quoted price. "After my TV screen went black, a cable operator said he would install it for Rs 1,600 within half an hour. As we could not afford it, we contacted other cable operators," said Nidhi Singh, an LLB (Hons) student. If the supply is really short then how come operators claim to install same machines at higher rates, she asks.
The consumer protection committee says that the spurt in black-marketing hints at intentional hoarding of STBs so that market forces could come into play and increase the prices of these units. Even consumers feel that cable operators and MSOs have created a hoax about supply shortage as this would lead to increase in the activate charge post deadline. A consumer said, "There should be a scrutiny into daily supply of STBs which would reveal many hidden truths about the cable industry." Consumers have also complained about operators avoiding them after taking money from them or pretending to be too busy to install these boxes.
There is another aspect of the problem. Many subscribers complain that even after installing the STB, transmission of few channels has been completely stopped after Mar 31. A customer said, "Transmission of a prime channel -- Sony -- and its related channels have been stopped. Even 'Food & Food' and 'S-TV' are unreachable." Sana Idris, a working woman, said, "Apart from a news channel with blur telecast, everything has gone blank. Children are disappointed as they are unable to watch their favourite cartoon show."
In Lucknow, two players operate in STB market. One is Delhi based 'Den' which operates through three networks - BM Magic, Den Mahavir and Den Enjoy, with around 90% market share. The other player is Mumbai based 'Digicable Lucknow Nine'.
Jeevan Khanna, JV partner of Digicable Lucknow Nine and director of UP says that they have been able to deliver boxes to only 35% households. "We are struggling with the poor supply and regular consumer complaints at the same time."
The market leader Den Enjoy however dismisses any shortage theory saying that the company is readily providing boxes to all its JV partners. It's the JV partners in the city like Mahavir and 'BM Magic' who are unwilling to pay Rs 2,000 per unit to the company which has led to supply shortage. Sanjeev Dixit, JV partner with Den Enjoy said, "Den charges Rs 2000 while JV partners only get Rs 1000 per STB. Hence most of them are unwilling to place bulk order and that is why are unable to timely provide boxes." He says that Den Enjoy have covered almost 70% of their subscribers and they are installing boxes at older rate of Rs 999.
A senior inspector in entertainment tax department of said, "The CM had sent a letter to the ministry three days back requesting extension of the deadline. The proposal is under consideration and a final word from the government shall come in few days. He confirmed that around two lakh households are still left from STB coverage and the target should be completed by next month if operators honestly install 10,000-15,000 boxes every day.
Quotes:
Sandeep Shukla, a private executive said, "I have paid the amount for set-top box last week but still cable operator has not yet installed it." He owns three TV sets but has paid for only one unit due to non-availability of set-top box.
Due to acute shortage of set-top boxes, few cable operators are taking advantage of the situation. They are installing devices after charging a higher price. "After my TV screen went black, a cable operator said he would install it for Rs 1,600 within half an hour. As we could not afford it, we contacted other cable operators," said Nidhi Singh, a LLB (Hons) student. The device was installed at her home on Monday noon at Rs 1200.
Most of the cable operators are either avoiding or are unreachable even after collecting the money. "About ten days back, the operator told us that he would come soon to install device at our home. After no response from him from for many days, we tried to contact him but he is not taking our calls and mostly his phone is switched off," said Sapna Shukla, a college student.
Families which have more than one TV set in their homes are finding installation of set-top expensive. Nidhi Singh who owns two TV sets said, "Currently, we have got only one set-top box as purchasing two would be costly. Government should offer some discount to people who have more than one TV." Singh added it would lead to more arguments and fight in families as each member in the family has different interest.
Anubhav Srivastava, a private executive said "I have four TV sets at my home. Even after supply shortage, I would prefer to install set-top box rather than taking DTH connection as the former is more economical for people having more than one TV set. Out of four, he got only two-set top boxes installed even after applying for four units.
Sana Idris, a working woman said, "Apart from a news channel with blur telecast, everything has gone blank. Children are disappointed as they are unable to watch their favourite cartoons during holidays."
* More than two and a half lakh households still deprived from set-top boxes due to poor supply
* Cable signal to their TV sets has stopped from midnight of Sunday
* CM's request to GOI for extending deadline of installing set-top box still is under consideration
* Consumers have even complained about transmission of few channels like 'Food & Food', 'Sony' getting stopped even after installing set-top boxes post Mar 31
* Consumers claim there is an increase in black marketing activities of set-top boxes after Mar 31
* Market leader Den Enjoy dismisses shortage theory, claims Den is readily providing boxes but JV partners in Lucknow are unwilling to buy them at Rs 2000 as they are selling it at Rs 1000 only
* Two major players Den Enjoy and Digicable Lucknow Nine have been able to provide set-top boxes to only 70% and 35% of their subscriber base respectively.
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