THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
(COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.))
(a) Digitization of Cable Television has been made mandatory in the country in four Phases. Phase – I of digitization has been completed as per the cutoff date of 31st October 2012 in metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The process is incomplete in Chennai due to pending Court cases.
Phase-II was concluded by 31st March 2013 in 38 cities spanning across 14 States and one Union Territory. Digitization is complete in 36 cities while in 2 cities (Srinagar and Coimbatore) the work is in progress.
(b) The Government has set the following deadlines for its implementation:
Phase I Metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & Chennai 31st Oct 2012 Phase II 38 cities (with population more than one million) 31st March 2013 Phase III All other urban areas 31st Dec 2015 Phase IV Rest of India 31st Dec 2016
(c) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has laid down a comprehensive regulatory framework for implementation of Digital Addressable Cable TV systems. The regulation has mandated that every Multi System Operators (MSO) is required to enter the details of subscribers into the Subscriber Management System (SMS) before providing cable TV services through DAS to the subscriber. TRAI has informed that it has issued from time to time necessary orders and directions to the service providers to ensure their compliance and has also taken action, under the provisions of TRAI Act, against service providers (MSO/LCO) who were found to be non-compliant with the provisions of the Regulations notified by TRAI.
(d): The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) Regulations, 2012, as amended from time to time, mandates that every broadcaster shall provide signals of its TV channels within 60 days, on non-discriminatory basis, to every registered MSO who, makes request for the same.
Further, to ensure the availability of signals to the distribution platform operator, the Regulatory framework also provides that no broadcaster of TV channels shall engage in any practice or activity or enter into any understanding or arrangement, including exclusive contract with any MSO for distribution of its channel which may prevent any other MSO from obtaining such TV channels for distribution. TRAI has informed that it has issued directions and orders to Broadcasters and MSOs to ensure their compliance.
(e): To protect the interest of Consumer and to ensure availability of STB on easy terms and conditions, TRAI has informed that it has issued regulation mandating the MSOs to provide STBs to subscribers on outright purchase basis or hire-purchase bases or rental basis. In addition the operator can offer other schemes for providing STBs with subscribers having an option to choose.
