(24 October 2007 3:20 pm)

MUMBAI: The 16th edition of Scat, the tradeshow for the cable and satellite industry, will focus on digital cable TV and fibre optics.

The event runs from 25-27 October at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai.

Over 100 companies will exhibit products at the event. They include Tandberg, D-Link, Paras Electronics, Ortel, Scientific Atlanta, Catvision Products, Beetel. The focus this time will rest on digital cable TV and fibre optics.

This is because a lot of cable TV networks are migrating to fibre and digital cable. The cable retail market is large with over 20,000 cable headends and over 40,000 cable operators. There is thus a wide market for all levels of products ranging from SA-Barco to Chinese and local brands.

The organisers note that digital cable television's penetration is growing with 150 channels being rolled out in more than 25 cities before the end of the year. 50 new channels will be launched in the next two years. IPTV has already launched which means competition for the cable operators to upgrade their services and infrastruture.

As of now, there are over 3.5 million Indian DTH subscribers. Over five million FTA (free-to-air) Ku-band homes view DD Direct+. There is also a large emerging demand for DTH distribution equipment from multi-storied residential complexes in the metro cities. A renewed demand is also coming for RG-6 and RG-11 coax for DTH distribution.