Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

26-October-2012 18:38 IST

As per the latest figures computed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting  on Digitization for the four Metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, the percentage of digitization in the four Metro cities has reached 85%. This figure has been achieved by considering digitization of only the Cable Homes. Taking into account DTH, the percentage of digitization has gone up to 90%.

Metro wise progress shows that Mumbai has nearly achieved 100% digitization. Delhi has achieved 83% digitization of Cable Homes and with DTH, the percentage of digitization is 88%. In Kolkata, Cable homes have reached 80% digitization and with DTH, the percentage of digitization goes up to 82%. In Chennai, the Cable homes are showing 61% digitization and together with DTH, the percentage of digitization goes up to 85%. 

It has also been observed that there is a sharp increase in the number of Set Top Boxes being installed in the homes of people. In the last few days, the average number of STBs installed has jumped to almost 50,000 boxes per day. As per the data provided by the DTH operators, the DTH sector has also been making a steady progress. Daily installation of DTH connections in the above mentioned 4 metro cities has gone up to 8000 Boxes per day from an average of about 2000 Boxes a few weeks back.  The total number of DTH connections in the 4 metros is given in the Table below:

 Recently some reports have been published, questioning the data being used by the Ministry for computing the progress made towards digitization.  It has also been reported that some field surveys have been conducted to assess the progress made in the digitization process.  One such Report has been brought out by MxM India. The content of the report was analyzed in the Ministry in detail. The firm has claimed in its report that the percentage of Digitization in the four metros was far below the figures indicated by the Ministry from time to time. On examination in the Ministry it has been found that these organizations relied on certain industry reports only, for collation of data. Even the data source has not been quoted and elaborated upon.  On perusal, it has been found that the surveys and analysis have not provided details of the sample size, sampling methodology, details of field visits and areas covered in the four metros, number of respondents, details of questionnaire, period of survey etc.

It is pertinent to mention that the total number of TV households in the above mentioned 4 metros is around 83 lakhs as per the Census 2011. Any survey, therefore, should be statistically valid for such a large size. It has also been observed that the data quoted from the Census about the total number of household and the TV penetration does not match with the Census Data. In fact, the source for percentage of TV penetration has been taken from some industry reports whereas the figures given by Census are much in variance with the data taken from the industry sources. The data quoted for DTH subscribers has been taken from Cable Operators Federation of India which does not represent the DTH operators. The data given by the Ministry is based on the data directly taken from the DTH operators and the Multi System Operators on daily basis. 

Ministry of I&B methods of data computation are well established and credible. The Ministry has been placing these figures in public domain in the public interest from time to time and has adopted a transparent process to report these figures in the public domain. 

CP/ST

Data credibility affirmed as Ministry defends digitization progress reporting and methodology against industry survey criticisms. The Ministry reports metro cable digitization at eighty-five percent and higher overall with DTH, citing citywise cable and DTH penetration, rising set-top box installations and daily DTH activations. It rejects external survey findings for lacking disclosed sources, sample size and methodology details, and asserts its daily operator-supplied data and established computation methods are credible and transparently published.