Dutch cabler CAIW adds DVB-T

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.