Depreciating rupee a cause of concern for DTH players

The depreciating rupee against the dollar impacted the direct-to-home (DTH) industry adversely owing to import of set-top boxes (STB) at nearly 10-15% increased prices and offering to the subscribers at a subsidized rate.

Since the appreciating dollar has caused a rise of almost 10-15% in prices of import-dependent set-top boxes, industry players are concerned over the fate of revenues and viability. Even after service duty reduction, the DTH industry has not been benefited much owing to the slipping rupee.