Android boxes is getting more popular these days. They offer a wider variety of content and at a lower cost.
These boxes are also known as set-top box or TV box. They run on the Android operating system, stream the latest movies and live TV channels to the TV for free or with a small subscription, legally or illegally.
With local internet providers dishing out higher bandwidths and speed, more people are getting an Android box. One no longer has to bear with lagging and buffering. Plus, hundreds of channels and content are easily accessible.
The device could be obtained for as low as RM150 or as much as RM500 per set. It all depends on the processor or memory chips used. A quick search on Lazada netted many options, some even as low as RM78.
Viewers could opt for free or paid apps to watch their programmes over the device.
Some users have reported savings from switching to an Android box as they lamented that the price of a paid cable TV subscription has gone up over the years.
Not All Share the Same Sentiment
Some local industry players is consider emulating Singapore’s proposal to a blanket ban on media streaming boxes.
Dimsum chief marketing officer Lam Swee Kim said the move was to curb content piracy.
“It’s not a matter of who will benefit from this.”
“The greater picture here is to stop piracy. It’s not that the streaming box is not good but the content passing through it is illegal.”
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman Ishsal Ishak said the sale and ownership of set-top boxes with services that allow consumers to access pirated content is illegal in Malaysia and it was exploring regulatory intervention on the boxes.
“There are two ways of looking at it. MCMC is looking at the technical aspect of the boxes, for which they need to get Sirim approvals.”
“With regard to the content, if there are elements of copyright infringement that would fall under the Copyright Act.”
Of course, should the ban be officially proposed, the pay-TV operators in the country will be the one benefiting from this, a step backwards to monopoly – as voiced out by concerned Netizens.
