Placing another foot in the future, the Indian cable market plans to switch off its analog systems and roll out digital services to put an end to the clamor for clearer pictures and better sound reception.

Three Indian cable operators – Delhi Distribution Company, Faction Digital and Kozhikode Cable communicators – have selected Pace, which is at the forefront of digital technology for the broadcast and broadband technology.

“It provides DDC, Faction and KCL with a straightforward and cost-effective way of moving their subscribers to digital, while maintaining the high quality that customers have come to expect from Pace," said Shane McCarthy, president of Pace International, commenting on the solution.

This is the first phase of a government-mandated transition to digital TV services, with full switchover required in 2015. Eighty million Indian households are expected to be transitioned to digital services by the deadline.

Pace is set to provide a pre-integrated solution to provide a cost-effective and suitable alternative to cable operators. In addition to better quality and less bandwidth requirement, the changeover to digital services will enable consumers decide what they want to see and pay only for that.

By incorporating this solution on a standard definition of high definition set-top box, cable operators will have access to a high quality pay TV platform minus the hassle of infrastructure and integration of complex systems.

Designed specifically for the Indian market, the solution includes an interface that caters to local consumers' browsing preferences with the ability to operate the TV even in the absence of the remote control.

In addition to allowing fast deployment of digital services to customers via an SD set-top box, cable operators can add additional services in the future according to changing needs. Pace is well positioned to offer cable operators the option of a single source for their software, hardware and CAS.

McCaarthy noted that DDC, Faction and KCL will now have access to a straightforward and cost-effective way of moving their subscribers to digital, while maintaining the high quality.

Pace is expected to provide software and services with hardware to support new IGLOO TV service, bringing free-to-air and on-demand content to new audiences in New Zealand Pace plc. It announced that it is providing the services and technology behind SKY New Zealand and IGLOO (News - Alert), TVNZ's innovative new TV service.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.