Interoperability of set-top boxes not feasible

Set-top box (STB) interoperability is not feasible in the Indian market as the existing STBs deployed by the distribution platform operators (DPOs) are non-interoperable, and deploying new interoperable STBs will be a costly affair, say industry experts. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), in its recent recommendations to the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB), reiterated that all STBs in India must, in principle, support technical interoperability.

STB interoperability is the ability to change a service provider without changing the STB. Currently, customers have to purchase a new STB every time they want to shift to a new service provider. “There are two types of interoperability: technical and commercial. Technical interoperability without commercial interoperability is not feasible because the STBs remain the property of the DPOs,” said a top official with a TV distribution company, on condition of anonymity.