Taiwan's National Communications Commission aims to complete 100% digitization of cable TV networks around Taiwan by the end of 2017. MSOs (multi-system operators) are expected to procure more than 6.5 million STBs (set-top boxes) to meet the target, according to industry sources.
There are 5.14 million cable TV subscribers in Taiwan at present, and 4.76 million or 92.7% are covered by digital networks, the sources said. Before ending analog cable TV operations, each cable TV subscriber will need 2.2 STBs on average, the sources noted. Thus, 5.14 million cable TV subscribers will have demand for 11.308 million STBs. Deducting existing STBs used by digital cable TV subscribers currently, MSOs need to procure more than 6.5 million STBs, the sources calculated.
Average price for an STB is estimated at about NT$1,500 (US$47.80), while DOCSIS 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1 compatible models cost NT$2,000 and NT$3,000, respectively, the sources said.
Article translated by Adam Hwang
