Worldwide Leading Satellite STB IC Makers' Product Development Strategy

As digital satellite TV services have taken off, satellite TV STBs (Set Top Box) have become the mainstream STB type; global shipments of digital satellite TV STBs in 2007 totaled 72.2 million units. FTA/CI STBs, which are capable of receiving free satellite TV services, have proved to be especially popular in Western Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, China, and other emerging markets. Annual shipments of FTA/CI STBs are forecast to reach 47.3 million units by 2011. Growing demand for FTA/CI STBs has encouraged IC suppliers such as Ali, Cheertek, Conexant, Haier IC, NationalChip, ST Microelectronics, NEC and Fujitsu to move into the FTA/CI STB IC market. This report will examine the key players in the FTA/CI STB IC industry and the major trends in new product development.