Hathway deploys 1.7 million DAS set-top boxes in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata

MUMBAI — According to its results for Q2 FY 13, Hathway Cable & Datacom Limited (BSE:533162 NSE:HATHWAY) has successfully completed the roll out of its digital addressable system (DAS) in the Phase I cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. As of end October 2012 the Company along with its JV partners had cumulatively deployed 1.7 million (1.3 million as on 30th September, 2012) set-top boxes (STBs) in these cities. While this is the highest deployment among the Cable MSOs as on date the Company continues to aggressively deploy additional STBs in the territories it serves. The company has access to an inventory of ~ 0.6 million (excluding STBs in transit) in hand. This gives us an opportunity to seed STBs in excess of 2 million in total in Phase 1 cities. On a consolidated all India basis, Hathway, its’ subsidiaries and JV partner’s have reached ~ 2.7 million Digital (3 million as on date) Subscribers as of end September 2012.

The Task Force constituted by the TRAI has now started monitoring the progress towards Digitization in Phase 2 with all stake holders on a weekly basis towards meeting the digitization schedule. The ministry has clearly indicated that Phase 2 of digitization will be rolled out in time. The Company has a very significant presence in cities falling under Phase 2. In order that it meets the Phase 2 roll-out schedule the Company also continues to roll-out STBs in these cities (such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Thane, Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Baroda, Aurangabad, NCR, Indore, Bhopal, Jaipur etc.). The Company is present in over 65% of the cities falling within Phase 2.