BEIJING -- Unit shipments of digital cable set-top boxes in China will quadruple to 12 million in 2010, according to research firm InStat.

The nation purchased 3 million STBs in 2005, the firm said.

The Chinese government is pushing cities to switch to digital cable TV from analog and most homes will opt for basic boxes, In-Stat says.

"Most of the digital STB shipment increases will come from basic set-top boxes. Most cable operators provide only basic services, and networks have not yet begun to install two-way networks. [T]hus, operators prefer basic boxes," said analyst Rebecca Tan.

Meanwhile, advanced-box shipments will reach 1.5 million by 2010, InStat said. Total revenue of cable STBs is forecast to reach $586 million by 2010.

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