Abstract

With the launch of digital cable TV service by MSOs all over the world, demand for cable STBs has grown rapidly. To be able to support a wide range of interactive services and applications, increasingly, cable STBs have a modem and hard drive built-in, and support HDTV. The trend towards OpenCable and the introduction of CableCard have resulted in a gradual opening up of the supply chain. It can be anticipated that more and more new entrants will be moving into the digital STB market; the existing vendors will find themselves facing increasingly intense price competition.

Given this market environment, Taiwanese manufacturers such as Hon Hai, ASUSTek, Askey, and Cal-Comp will be able to leverage their mature production technology and close relationships with customers to secure more cable STB OEM contracts. Taiwanese firms will continue to dominate the manufacturing and shipment segments of the cable STB supply chain. In addition, increasing opportunities to collaborate with MSOs will also help Taiwanese manufacturers to consolidate their roles in each segment of the supply chain, thereby enhancing their overall competitiveness.

Appendix

List of Companies