The Information and Broadcasting Ministr, I&B Ministry, has denied media reports that Digitization of cable TV would result in huge power consumption by the Set Top Boxes, STBs. In a statement issued in New Delhi, I&B Ministry has clarified that STB consumes only about 8 watts of power and its consumption is even less than that of CFL light.

The Ministry said that it has been wrongly informed in the media reports that STB consumes 20 watts of power. STBs consume very nominal electricity to the tune of 5 to 6 units in a month which is insignificant in comparison with the electricity consumed by other electric appliances in a house.

The Ministry said that digitization will offer huge benefits to consumers in terms of providing superior quality of picture and sound, choice of channels from a large bouquet, movies and games on-demand etc. These benefits will be available to consumers at nominal electricity consumption.