Most likely extended cos there will be NO more satelite provider in msia. What we are concerned is the end to exclusivity game where deals hv been made with providers that they remain with asstro,we want an end to that! We will never see a situation like Indon or Thailand cos here its a game of cronies and the govt is directly involved. Many hv also lost interest cos paytv is too expensive,we rather pay RM200 for good internet then for paytv which is just a recycle bin

For sure will close shop instantly. Since Indian people in Malaysia not as wide at India..

As long you pay money to use the TV service, that is considered as a pay TV service provider, regardless you use a STB or not.
Even OTT services like Netflix, iflix, are considered as pay subscription because you are paying to use it. But if you get to enjoy  for free (such as Unifi or Maxis Fibre promo), that one don't say la.

Cable TV technology is currently not using in Malaysia, so you are likely not have chance to see how it works in Malaysia. ABNxcess is the first cable TV service that launched in Malaysia, and also the first to close shop.......   

Cable TV works like this:
1) Content network & headend (This process is the same goes to satellite, IPTV providers, or just about any TV service providers)
- TV channel/content is retrieve from various sources such as from satellite or private internet network
- Process and encode the video that is to be distributed to customers

2) Distribution network
- Content/service is being distributed to many "cabinets" (or known as big distribution boxes that you see on road side) wire by wire. In ABNxcess context, the modern cable TV technology lay fibre cables to customer's area. It allows more services offering especially when it comes to HD channels and triple-play services (TV, high speed broadband and phone). This is called Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC).

- Once fibre cable reaches to nearby cabinet of the "taman" or area, a coaxial cable (high quality ones) will lay along customer home's street. For ABNxcess, they use existing TNB electric poles to lay their coaxial cable along the street. It looks like this:


TOP (appears lossy): Electric cable
BOTTOM (appears tighten and straight): ABNxcess coaxial cable

- If there's a customer want to subscribe, they will lay another coaxial cable directly to your premise.

- Then, a normal RG6 coaxial cable (same cable used by any satellite TV including Astro) will be connected to ABNxcess cable modem. From the modem, you can enjoy TV, broadband and phone service.

- From cable modem's F-connector output (same port used by satellite TV incl. Astro, you can Google on how it looks like), a RG6 coaxial cable will be connected to ABNxcess STB.


Complicated, right? Although Cable TV don't have rain fade issue like satellite TV do, but laying cables here and there, eventually resulting in high costs and very time consuming. Service coverage rollout will take long time. Cable TV is just like your Streamyx/Unifi coverage, everything subject to area availability, problem like "this taman got, that taman don't have." will be common.

Meanwhile satellite TV, instantly get 100% nationwide coverage. Even in deep jungle also can watch Astro as long got clear line-of-sight view to the sky.