A number of pricing schemes being introduced can mean the cost of owning a set-top box will work out to be around Rs 50 per month, and not Rs 150-200 as is being projected.

The Zee Telefilms-owned multi-system operator Siti Cable announced on Monday a scheme under which consumers can obtain a digital set-top box by paying a fully-refundable security of Rs 3,990 and a rent of Re 1 per day.

As fixed deposits with public sector banks carry an interest rate of 6 per cent, the opportunity cost of the security works out to Rs 239.4 per annum, or Rs 20 per month. With a daily rental of Re 1, the monthly cost of ownership thus works out to Rs 50-51.

Another Siti Cable scheme will allow consumers to get set-top boxes on the payment of a refundable deposit of Rs 2,990 and a daily rental of Rs 1.50. Under this scheme, the cost of ownership of the set-top box works out to Rs 59.95-61.45.

Consumers can also avail of a waiver of six months' rental under both the schemes if they book the products before July 14, the day the Conditional Access System will be introduced.

"If the central government considers favourably the import duty reduction on set-top boxes, the above scheme shall be reworked and the benefit would be further extended to the consumer," Siti Cable executive vice-president Rajiv Khattar said in a statement on Monday.

Siti Cable is selling the digital set-top schemes under the Galaxzee brand.

Other multi-system operators like Hathway and Hinduja TMT are still working on the pricing schemes for set-top boxes. They are also expected to come out with attractive pricing, rental schemes and financing schemes for set-top boxes.

"We are working on the pricing structure for the set-top boxes. We will look at all innovative ways to reach the boxes to the consumers," S N Sharma, vice president (North India), Hathway, said.

Under the CAS, a consumer would need a set-top box to view pay channels like Star Plus or Zee News. However, free-to-air channels can be watched without the set-top box.