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New Delhi, Dec. 9
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry feels complete migration of broadcasting services from analog to digital by 2013, as recommended by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, may not be feasible.
Huge investment Such an exercise entails huge investment in infrastructure and creating massive awareness among consumers.
?Complete migration will be a complex exercise. It requires huge investments from various stake holders. All their needs must be protected," said Mr Raghu Menon, Secretary, I&B Ministry on Thursday.
Based on the Ministry's reactions with the industry, complete switchover from analog to digital by 2013 may not be feasible. The switch-over should be aligned with the Ministry's road-map for which target is 2017, Mr Menon said.
He was speaking at ?Addressable India 2020', an industry event organised by the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia and eight other industry associations.
Stating that consumers have to be educated about the benefits of digitisation, Mr Menon said manufacturing of set-top boxes and other infrastructure equipment need to be taken up on a huge scale. Prasar Bharati, the national broadcaster, is on the path of digitisation and the Government is spending Rs 1,562 crore in the first phase by 2013.
Despite global recession, the Indian television industry grew at 8.5 per cent in 2009 to Rs 26,500 crore, Mr Menon said. Further, the industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13 per cent for 2009-14.
Stating that it was time for the industry to tap the regional market, Mr Menon said opportunities were immense. The direct-to-home (DTH) industry, which is on a high growth path, has been a key driver for the growth of digitalisation in the country, Mr Menon. About 23 million of the 230 million homes in India are being serviced by DTH, he added.
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