Lok Sabha Question No. 2944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Digitization of Broadcasting Sector
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2944 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018)

## DIGITIZATION OF BROADCASTING SECTOR

2944.     SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

## WILL THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING BE PLEASED TO STATE:

- (a) whether the Government has prepared any outline for digitization of broadcasting sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether indigenous set-top boxes are much in demand and, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  promote  indigenous  manufacturers  of set-top boxes for cable/DTH television and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING {COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

- (a) & (b) :      Ministry of Information and Broadcasting laid down the schedule in four phases for digitization of the Cable TV Networks across the country. The sun set date  for  cable  TV  digitization  was  31.03.2017.  As  per  Section  4A  of  Cable Television  Networks  (Regulation)  Act,  1995  with  effect  from  01.4.2017,  only digital encrypted signals can be carried by the Cable Operators on their networks.

As far as All India Radio is concerned, various digitization schemes are as under:

- i. Replacement/  Up-gradation  of  36  valve  based  MW/  SW  Transmitters  by new technology solid state digital (DRM) MW Transmitters.
- ii. 127 studios of existing AIR Stations are approved under Digitization.
- iii. Replacement of 6 digital ready MW transmitters in LWE affected area.
- iv. 127 Studio Transmitter link (STL) are placed for digitization of connectivity.
- v. Digitisation of  Archives  at  Delhi,  CBS  Mumbai,  Chennai,  Kolkata  & Regional Archive centre at Hyderabad.
- vi. News room automation at all 44 RNUs and opening of 7 new RNUs.
- vii. Digitization  of  all  32  existing  captive  earth  stations  (CES)  have  been digitized and 5 new captive earth stations at Dehradun, Silchar, Tiruchirapalli and Dharwad.
- viii. 17  popular  channels  of  AIR  can  also  be  received  through  internet  by browsing AIR's website <allindiaradio.gov.in> and by downloading suitable apps on iOS/ Android/ Windows based mobile phones.
- ix. 39 channels of AIR are available on Doordarshan's DTH platform (DD Free Dish) throughout the country, which can be received by using set top Box.

In  addition,  Government  has  approved  digital  audio  compatible  new  FM transmitters at 174 places and replacement/upgradation of existing FM transmitters at 77 places.

As  far  as  Doordarshan  is  concerned,  Doordarshan  transmission  in  satellite mode is digital. 63 Doordarshan Studio Centres are fully digital. Digitization of 04 Studios  Centres  at  Warangal,  Kozhikode  (Calicut),  Coimbatore  &  Patiala  is dependent on availability of resources.

- (c) Cost of indigenous STBs is comparatively higher than the imported ones hence, demand may not be higher for these as of now.
- (d) Ministry has been supporting the local manufacturing of STBs. At present, STBs are indigenously manufactured by about 15 companies in India.

Doordarshan has authorized BECIL along with 10 other STB manufacturers in India to manufacture STBs for (DD Direct Plus) DTH platform.

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