For the organizers of MUX, please also pursue the distribution of set-top boxes. Why should it be pursued? So that the poor people in this republic can get a set-top box
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Communication and Informatics Ministry has asked multiplexer (MUX) providers to push the distribution of free set-top boxes (STBs) to people from the lower socioeconomic classes to support the analog switch-off (ASO), which refers to the transition from analog to digital TV.
Director of broadcasting at the Directorate General of Post and Information Technology of the Communication and Information Ministry, Geryantika Kurnia, said that the switch-off is necessary to make digital TV services accessible to everyone.
“For the organizers of MUX, please also pursue the distribution of set-top boxes. Why should it be pursued? So that the poor people in this republic can get a set-top box,” Kurnia said while speaking in a webinar on Friday.
As many as 6.7 million set-top boxes will be distributed free of charge to them, he said. Multiplexer operators will provide 4.2 million set-top boxes, while the remaining 2.5 million units will be provided by the government.
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However, so far, the number of free set-top boxes distributed by multiplexer providers has remained relatively low, he said.
He gave the example of SCM Group, which needs to distribute 1.2 million free set-top boxes, but until now, it has only distributed about 35 thousand units, or 3 percent of the target.
Meanwhile, MNC Group, which has committed to distributing 1.1 million new set-top box units, has distributed around 15 thousand units, or only 1.4 percent of the target.
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“Trans TV’s commitment of 600 thousand (set-top boxes, and it) has only distributed around 12,800, or about more than 2 percent; RTV (has committed to distributing) 500 thousand (units, but) has only distributed 8,200 (units), or about 1.6 percent; VIVA 150 thousand more of commitment, it’s not finished yet, (with) only 7,300 (units distributed); and Metro, which has a commitment of 700 (thousand units), has only distributed 7 thousand (units), only about 1 percent (of the target),” he said.
Moreover, the number of free set-top boxes distributed by the government has so far reached 185,548 units or 18.6 percent.
Kurnia urged multiplexer organizers to push for information dissemination about ASO on analog TV channels. Based on a survey, 90 percent of the people who know about ASO learned about it from analog TV shows, he said.
“So, the more intensively the information is broadcast, the easier it will be for people to shift to digital TV broadcasts,” he added.
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