Delhi local cable operators (LCOs) are observing a 48-hour black out starting 9 PM Friday, as part of protest against the government's ongoing digitization drive.

The government has declared that cable TV services will be digitalized with effect from April 1 for which all cable users will have to install set-top boxes (STBs).

Vineet Kumar, general secretary of West Delhi Cable Operators' Association, alleged that the government took the decision without taking LCOs's concerns into account.

Speaking on topic, Kumar said, "It will put extra pressure both on the public and LCOs, as all the investment made on the instruments and wires for analog cable signals will become futile."

According to Kumar, the digitalization drive would turn local operators' investments worth Rs 2,000 in analog signals futile.

Ashok Pandit, President of Trans Yamuna Cable Operators Association, said that the houses that are now paying Rs 100 to Rs 200 for a cable connection would have to pay in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 500 after digitization.

The government aims to put the entire country on the digital route by the end of 2014.