Set top box shipments to decline in 2006

ABI Research anticipates set top box shipments of just 46.11 mln in 2006, as opposed to 2005’s figure of 50.78 mln. By 2011, however, the forecasts are more bullish, showing a recovery to 53.72 mln units. Some DBS providers are positive about the numbers of STBs they expect to recycle, citing hoped-for exchange rates of 80% or more. ABI Research believes such estimates are optimistic, however, and proposes that the average STB recycle rate will typically be closer to 30% to 40%.