(a) whether the Government proposes to launch Condition Access System all over the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including the city of Kolkata;
(c) the time by which it is likely to be launched in all the States including the city of Kolkata; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI C. M. JATUA)
(a) & (b): Addressability in cable services also referred as Conditional Access system (CAS), has been
introduced in the notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in the year 2006 on a mandatory
basis. The Government has also been promoting other addressable platforms like Direct-to-Home (DTH)
services, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Services and has recently announced the Headend-in-the-
Sky (HITS) Policy to reduce the cost of digitalization of small cable operators. Digitalisation with
addressability in Cable service is one of the major thrust areas of the Ministry. On the basis of
various inputs received, the present thinking of the Ministry is to fix up a time frame within which
entire cable operations have to become digital including the provisioning of free-to-air channels.
The time frame could be staggered depending on city categories and depending on feasibility. The
Government is also working on developing suitable regulatory framework including rationalization
of tax and duty structure on the digital equipment and cable services for making the migration to
digital cable services viable for any cable operator who wants to go digital prior to the deadline.
(c) No time limit can be given in such policy matters.
(d) Does not arise.