Mana Raja Ranjit, president of Nepal Cable TV Association, told Republica that around 10 cable television operators in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur are all set to give their subscribers a better television viewing experience by Nepali New Year. “The Ministry of Information and Communications has said it would issue the license to cable operators within a week and we are hopeful that we will be able to provide digital television service by mid-April,” said Ranjit.
According to cable operators, the introduction of digital technology will ensure 100 percent picture clarity.
Major cable operators like Subisu Cable, Space Time Network, Sky Cable Television, Jawalakhel Cable Network and others will provide Digital TV service in Kathmandu Valley and in major towns like Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Chitwan, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, among others.
Ranjit further told that over 100 channels will be provided in the starting phase and around 400 channels later, but there will be no increment in the existing charges. According to Ranjit, the cable operators have already started the task of upgrading the technology outside the valley.
Mahendra Guragain, a joint secretary with Ministry of Information and Communications, however, said the cable operators will get the license only after due procedures are completed and that is going to take some more time. He also informed that till now only two cable operators have submitted application for the license.
Cable television operators have invested around Rs 120 million on digital technology. At present, there over 700 cable operators across the country.Only 10 of 14 licensed cable operators in the valley are introducing digital service.
The analogue cable television service will continue even after the launch of digital service, according to cable TV operators.
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