Government launches distribution of free set-top boxes

CHENNAI: Four months after state-run

Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation

(TACTV) was granted Digital Addressable System (DAS) licence by the Union information and broadcasting ministry for cable TV services, a first for a state-run agency, the state government launched the distribution of free set-top boxes (STB) to TACTV subscribers.

On Friday, at an event at the Secretariat, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami distributed the STBs, and inaugurated the MPEG 4 upgraded control room for digital signal transmission. TACTV has upgraded its transmission to MPEG 4 technology, from MPEG 2, an official release said.

AIADMK had promised free STBs in its assembly poll manifesto last year. Around 70 lakh TACTV subscribers in the state will now have access to 180 channels in digital quality at a monthly subscription of Rs 125, the release added. The process of distributing free STBs to all subscribers will be completed in three months, the release added.

Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa had pursued the issue with the Centre for several years. The release added that the STBs, which have a three-year warranty, would be distributed to users through local cable operators, who have been permitted to charge a one-time activation fee of Rs 200 from subscribers.

The release said that consumers can choose from four packages, which include both pay and free channels. While 180 channels are on offer for Rs 125, consumers get 230 channels for Rs 175, 260 for Rs 225 and 300 for Rs 275. The subscription fee is exclusive of 18% GST, the release added.

Information technology minister M Manikandan and Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan participated in the event.

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