In preparation of its total analogue shut-down, the Dutch cabler CAIW will reduce to number of basic analogue channels to 15 on November 30. In addition, it will add a basic digital bouquet of 18 channels in DVB-T on the network.
CAIW is one of the first cable networks to chose to distribute DVB-T signals on its network as a basic ‘lifeline’ service. In France, Numéricable also distributes the basic 18 channels terrestrial FTA channels in DVB-T on their networks. The advantage of distributing DVB-T signals on a cablenet is the fact that most current TV sets now have a built-in DVB-T tuner, so there is no need for a separate set-top box.
CAIW has just launched a big information campaign for its subscribers to educate them on the final analogue switch-off on October 10, 2010. With the introduction of two DVB-T streams, the operator also has brought down the number of analogue channels to 15.
CAIW serves about 145,000 households with television and radio in Westland, Midden-Delfland, Schiedam, Maassluis, Aalsmeer, Uithoorn, IJsselstein, Lopik (Benschop), Halderberge (Oudenbosch), The Hague (Wateringse Veld), Doorn, parts of Capelle aan den IJssel, Loenen, Hilvarenbeek and Gouda.
It also has 75,000 broadband customers and 28,000 telephony subscribers.
About Robert Briel
