Panaji: Information and Broadcasting ministry will consult the Finance and Commerce ministries on exploring the possibility of having locally manufactured set- top boxes for continuing the digitization process rather than depending on imports, I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Saturday.
The minister said the decision on the issue was pertinent considering the starting of third and fourth phase of digitization.
"Before starting third and fourth phase of digitization, we will have to take a decision on the availability of set-top boxes," Javadekar said.
He said a total of 11 crore set-top boxes will be required.
"We are yet to take a decision whether to import them (set-top boxes) or give a stimulus to the local industry which will produce them", he said.
Cable TV networks in the country have been mandated to go digital by December 2014, which entails that TV signals may be received only through STBs.
"If imported, once set-top boxes get conked out, they cannot be repaired. We will have a meeting with Finance and Commerce ministries because certain decisions about import and about impetus to the local industry need to be taken," Javadekar said.
The minister, however, refused to comment if the digitization deadline will be extended.
"The decision on implementation of third and fourth stage of digitization will be taken only after (holding) meeting with the (Finance and Commerce) ministries," he said.
Javadekar, who recently took charge of the ministry, said the main focus of his ministry was to ensure freedom of press.
Comments
0 comment