Indian cable TV growth at stake: CASBAA

India - India's cable TV growth is at risk of being crumbled by overly intrusive regulations, according to the Digital Vision: India in 2012 report by the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA).

"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," Simon Twiston Davies, CEO of CASBAA, said in a statement.

The report provides an overview of the opportunities for the development of India's broadband and television industries. It includes an assessment of its pay-TV environment, and recommendations on promoting the growth of India's digital communications services.

According to Davies, digital television and broadband networks are set to play a vital role in India's economic development just as they did in countries such as Japan and the US. He added, "With private investment waiting to increase high-speed digital capacity for cable TV, the benefits for consumers and economy could be enormous".

Almost 60% of Indian homes were connected with wireline access by the end of 2007, the reach of the cable industry expected to climb to connect 100 million Indian homes with cable networks by 2012.