In a move that could change the rules of the game in the Rs 23,000-crore cable sector, the multi system operators (MSOs) will soon be offering set top boxes at a single price point throughout the country.

The uniform set top box (STBs) price regime, the dynamics of which is still getting its finishing touches by MSOs, is unprecedented considering they were fiercely competing among one another for?subscriber acquisition till recently and?would result in?ironing out hardware-related competition from the domestic market.

While a call on the price point is expected to be finalised within a week?s time, the decision that there should be a common price point is close to final.?

According to sources, the common price point could possibly?be determined somewhere within the price band of Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 or slightly higher. Currently, if you are a digital cable customer, you could be paying anywhere between Rs 400 to Rs 1,500 for your STBs depending on the locality and geography that you reside in, thanks to the fierce competition among the cable operators and the additional competition of DTH players in certain areas.

Ashok Mansukhani, president, MSO Alliance, said, ?The MSOs are trying to arrive at a common price point for the STBs. The decision to offer an uniform pricing is basically meant to erase doubts and clear confusion among consumers regarding pricing issues and not let local cable operators siphon off benefits that should reach the subscriber, by introducing complicated offerings.?

According to leading MSOs, if the common price point is settled close to Rs 1,000, it?will help them ease off part of the price burden that they are shouldering due to increase in the import price of STBs due to the currency fluctuation. Today, STBs offered at a rate of Rs 500 is subsidised to an extent so that MSOs absorb a cost of around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per box.

The currency fluctuation has already forced a few DTH players,?including market leader?Dish TV, to rethink STB pricing strategy.

According to MSOs? own estimation ? of the 80 million cable homes, around 50 to 60% are catered to by the 6,000 MSOs currently.

However, the three largest MSOs claim of a subscriber base that is equivalent to almost 20% of the total cable homes.

Digital cable home volumes is expected to expand in India to over 12 million in 2012 and 22 million digital cable subscribers by 2017. This will still represent less than 20% share of total cable subscribers.