"We will look for a resolution for the shortage (of set-top box supply)," Minister of Communication and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, said in West Java on Wednesday.
According to the minister, currently, the government and some multiplexing organizers have been distributing set-top box devices to eligible communities.
Based on the Integrated Social Welfare Data from the Ministry of Social Affairs, the total requirement for set-top boxes in poor households is 6,737,971 units.
While set-top boxes are being provided by multiplexing organizers, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics is seeking to close the undersupply. Based on the 2022 stage budget, the ministry has readied one million units of set-top boxes.
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Meanwhile, the number of total set-top boxes provided by multiplexing organizers has reached 4,177,760.
In January 2022, the ministry said, the requirement for 3,203,854 units of set-top boxes for the first stage of the analog switch-off in 166 districts and cities had been fulfilled.
Meanwhile, for Phase II and Phase III of ASO, the supply of set-top boxes is still under process. According to the ministry's data, for phase two, out of the total requirement of 2,165,890 units for 110 districts and cities, only 2,011,941 units are available.
Further, 153,949 set-top boxes are needed for 14 districts/cities for Phase II of ASO, the ministry said.
Furthermore, for the third phase, 1,368,227 units are still required for 65 districts and cities, according to the data.
During a work meeting with the House of Representatives, Plate said the government has proposed the procurement of about three million set-top boxes.
The ministry suggested the analog switch-off program be implemented using the state budget as Indonesia will begin to shift to digital terrestrial television broadcasts in 2022.
Phase I will be conducted on April 30, 2022, Phase II on August 25, 2022, and the last stage on November 2, 2022.
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Translator: Natisha A, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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