India is welcoming foreign investment in its digital cable TV sector, and has set a Foreign Direct Investment cap of 74 per cent for non-Indian investors. The new limit applies to DTH, IPTV, mobile TV, and digital cable distribution.

The newly set cap replaces a number of other assorted investment limits within the TV sector. However, the cap for non-digital cable TV would remain at its present 49 percent level, according to Uday Kumar Varma, secretary, information and broadcasting ministry.

Explaining the rationale behind the move, Varma told the Hindustan Times that: “Digitalisation would require huge investment. With raised FDI limits we are looking at greater capital flows into the sector.”
India is committed to switching off its analogue TV by December 31st 2014.

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