GOA: Delayed digitisation is the hottest topic of discussion in the cable TV corridors.

With digitisation comes the hope of increased Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and also the realisation that it is broadband that will help the multi system operators (MSOs) to increase their ARPUs.

Siti Cable is doing just that. The MSO, which for the last two months had been piloting and testing its DOCSIS 3 technology in the Delhi, NCR region, has now officially launched it in the region. Confirms Siti Cable CEO and executive director VD Wadhwa, “Yes, we have commercially launched the service in these areas.” 

The MSO though has started with Delhi-NCR; it will soon take the service to every city where it has a subscriber base of more than 50,000.

It is estimated that the MSO is investing anywhere close to Rs 35 lakh to Rs 40 lakh in markets with 50,000 subscribers. According to Wadhwa, as a thumb rule, of every 100 cable TV households, close to 10-15 per cent convert to broadband households. “We are taking the figure at 15 per cent,” he says.

“Upgradation of homes passed cost close to Rs 500 per subscriber. So if, of the 100 households, 15 per cent opt for broadband, then we are looking at an investment of close to Rs 5000 per subscriber,” he informs.

The speed for DOCSIS 2 will go up to 40 mbps, while for DOCSIS 3 will go up to 100 mbps. As for the pricing, Wadhwa says, “Our pricing will be highly competitive. We are just in the phase of finalising the tariff plan. We will have different packs for different subscribers.”