Samart Engineering, the digital set-top box arm of Samart Corporation, has announced plans to introduce IPTV set-top boxes.
The Android-based boxes made by Samart and priced at 3,000 baht are scheduled to be launched early next year, managing director Thawee Udomkitchote said.
The internet TV set-top box will allow viewers to watch TV series and access on-demand or pay-per-view shows.
The high-definition IPTV box combines Android-supported services and chipset-supported video coding, enabling high-quality video on the screen.
The box can be connected to the internet or WiFi at home, requiring a download speed of 2 Mbps.
"We're in talks with a few prospective content developers for collaboration on an IPTV service," Mr Thawee said.
Samart Engineering expects to meet this year's revenue target of 900 million baht, with the figure doubling to 1.8 billion next year.
Net profit is also expected double next year from this year's expected 30 million baht, Mr Thawee said.
Some 60% of company revenue comes from set-top boxes sales, 30% from antennas and 10% from aluminium boxes for storing electronics equipment.
The company expects its set-top boxes will account for at least 20% of the 4.9 million coupons distributed by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
"We expect to sell 900,000 boxes this year, short of the initial target of 1 million," Mr Thawee said.
But antenna sales exceeded expectations with 1 million sold this year.
In October, the NBTC began mailing digital set-top box subsidy vouchers valued at 690 baht each to 14.1 million households nationwide.
Some 6.6 million households had received their vouchers as of last month.
Homeowners can use the vouchers to buy set-top boxes made by various companies and offered in a wide range of prices, although most cost 690 baht.
Residents can also use the vouchers to buy a new TV set, paying the difference depending on the model they choose.
Set-top boxes for terrestrial digital TV will help viewers to see a clearer picture under the new digital broadcasting standard.
Mr Thawee said missing this year's set-top box sales target would be due mainly to a three-month delay in distributing the subsidy coupons plus the slow distribution process.
Digital TV operators also claim they are missing their viewership targets.
Another factor is the level of consumer awareness, or more importantly the lack of it, regarding details of the digital transition and coupon subsidy, Mr Thawee said.
Most households surveyed, particularly upcountry, have not heard of the scheme.
"These factors are impeding set-top box purchases," said Mr Thawee, who urged the NBTC to launch a national campaign aimed at building awareness.