The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) has released its “Digital Vision: India in 2012” report in New Delhi, providing an overview of the opportunities for rapid development of India's digital broadband and television industries. The CASBAA Digital Vision report also provides an assessment of India's pay-TV environment, along with recommendations for senior policy-makers on promoting the growth of India's digital communications services.

By the end of 2007, cable systems were India's largest wired network, connecting almost 60 per cent of Indian homes with wireline access. The reach of the cable industry will continue to grow, with more than 100 million Indian homes expected to be connected by cable networks by 2012.

“With 71 million homes wired, digital television and broadband networks are set to play a vital role in India's economic development just as they did in Japan, Europe, the US and elsewhere. With private investment waiting in the wings to increase high-speed digital capacity for cable TV, the benefits for consumers and economy stand to be enormous,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO of CASBAA.

“The report notes that the phenomenal advantage of India's rapid cable TV growth is at risk of being eroded by overly intrusive regulations. The industry in India is looking for 'lighter-touch' regulation appropriate for the creation of a world-class digital infrastructure as well as broadband take-up,” added Davies.

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