Karnataka Government to launch its own cable network shortly.

[aravindan]

Karnataka Government to launch its own cable network shortly. Featured

Bengaluru : The Karnataka state government had decided to follow the model of Tamil Nadu governments state owned Arasu Cable TV Network due to its unhappiness over the Cable TV Operators charging the public with exorbitant monthly subscription charges.

In order to free the people from the menace of private cable television network operators in the Karnataka state, the Information and Public Relations Minister Roshan Baig, had conducted a preliminary meeting with the senior official of Arasu cable to understand the model.

Information and Public Relations Minister Roshan Baig, who also holds the Infrastructure and Haj portfolios, while speaking to media here on Sunday stated that "during his visit to Chennai recently to participate in an exhibition, he had held preliminary discussions with the senior officials of the Tamil Nadu government about the working of the Arasu Cable TV network".

“The government wanted to provide cable TV connections to individual homes at an affordable cost. Now cable TV operators are not regulated, he said. The State government wanted to streamline their functioning, he added.

Minister R. Roshan Baig added that the Chief Minister will hold a meeting on launching a State-owned cable television network on the lines of Arasu Cable network launched by Tamil Nadu government, on 28th August.

The government would provide cable TV connections to households at an affordable cost. “We have studied the scheme launched in Tamil Nadu. We will design it in such a way that individual houses get cable network at less than Rs. 100 a month,” from the existing level of Rs 200 to 300 per month he said.

The Private Cable Operators in Karnataka haven't reacted to it yet, However, it will be interesting to see how the government is going to overtake, the Cable Industry without any resistance from the private players. Because, unlike Tamil Nadu, where the Cable Operators overwhelmingly came forward to support Arasu Cable by surrendering their control rooms to operate under Arasu Cable on a contract basis, the scenario in Karnataka is somewhat different and the state government may have to compete with the existing private players in terms of quality, cost and need to face tough bargaining from the pay channels.

It may be noted that Tamil Nadu government is pioneering the initiative of state owned cable TV network and recently it has announced the plans of launching cheaper Broadband service through Arasu cable shortly.

Source:TV NEWS 4U

 

[HOUSE-MD]

Good decision but they shouldn't follow TN as otherwise they would have to forget about Bangalore like how Arasu completely forgot about Chennai.

 

[Viki]

DAS is already in Bangalore so they cannot implement Analog , if they apply for DAS it will definitely complicate Arasu's case further

 

[HOUSE-MD]

If they apply for DAS it will definitely complicate Arasu's case further

Nothing can complicate Arasu's case due to the following reason.

1: All other MSO's are just aspirational and non functional whereas Arasu is a full fledged functional MSO.
2: Arasu has CAS license while others don't.
3: Arasu had over 70 lakh subscribers whereas others have none.
4: Arasu has already huge success with analogue and has also started STB somewhere in Chennai while others don't even have Analogue.
5: Madurai HC Branch has asked TRAI to give DAS license to Arasu while no Govt supported MSO has this possibility.
6: Arasu has people support and others are yet to find people.
7: Arasu has active subscription will all channel providers whereas others haven't even started to even plan for it.

Arasu is completely different from others so Arasu would be given DAS license as an exception and others wont qualify for this.

 

[M.J.Sadiq]

Nothing can complicate Arasu's case due to the following reason.

1: All other MSO's are just aspirational and non functional whereas Arasu is a full fledged functional MSO.
2: Arasu has CAS license while others don't.
3: Arasu had over 70 lakh subscribers whereas others have none.
4: Arasu has already huge success with analogue and has also started STB somewhere in Chennai while others don't even have Analogue.
5: Madurai HC Branch has asked TRAI to give DAS license to Arasu while no Govt supported MSO has this possibility.
6: Arasu has people support and others are yet to find people.
7: Arasu has active subscription will all channel providers whereas others haven't even started to even plan for it.

Arasu is completely different from others so Arasu would be given DAS license as an exception and others wont qualify for this.

But bro, government rule is not looking at the intention here bro.. That is the problem..


Let us see what Karnataka government is going to do now..

 

[HOUSE-MD]

But bro, government rule is not looking at the intention here bro.. That is the problem..

Let us see what Karnataka government is going to do now..

Well, my reply was not how govt looks at both (Arasu and Karnata planned MSO) these applications but how they can see both the MSO's at different angles and how Arasu differs from all the other govt that want to start similar MSO's.

Yes, you are right. If they want to refuse the license they can always find the way likewise if they want to give them then they can use my reasons.

 

[Viki]

Well, my reply was not how govt looks at both (Arasu and Karnata planned MSO) these applications but how they can see both the MSO's at different angles and how Arasu differs from all the other govt that want to start similar MSO's.

Yes, you are right. If they want to refuse the license they can always find the way likewise if they want to give them then they can use my reasons.

Your points would look good and valid , but in reality the rules should / will be equal. If Central Govt gives approval for Arasu , they should give approval for all other Govt cables (whether it is functional or non functional). If they refuse others then they have to refuse Arasu also , if central approves Arasu and rejects others. Others will move to court , that why I said it will complicate the case , hope now you understand the situation.

Simple logic.In 2G case , court ordered to cancel license of some companies , those companies also had customers! they also invested a lot! Did court or Govt taken that into account when they cancel the license?

 

[aravindan]

Your points would look good and valid , but in reality the rules should / will be equal. If Central Govt gives approval for Arasu , they should give approval for all other Govt cables (whether it is functional or non functional). If they refuse others then they have to refuse Arasu also , if central approves Arasu and rejects others. Others will move to court , that why I said it will complicate the case , hope now you understand the situation.

Simple logic.In 2G case , court ordered to cancel license of some companies , those companies also had customers! they also invested a lot! Did court or Govt taken that into account when they cancel the license?

Recently TRAI stated that rule going to implemented that a "company in broadcasting sector can take part either as a cable MSO or a DTH firm."

By that way, SUN Group should run only one broadcasting firm.
Either SCV or SUN Direct.

Obviously they will loose SCV ahead of SUN Direct since Chennai is the only base for SCV & its fail to dominate Chennai for the past decade and stiff competition from Arasu & DTH companies in TN.

They will prefer SUN direct which has large subscriber base in whole nation and they are in talks with Reliance BIG TV to merge with them.

That's why people think to buy SCV or SUN Direct where our investment not guaranteed.

Hope Central government won't mingle Arasu case with any other states' MSO case who are yet to be started.

On behalf of 70+ lakhs people's welfare who are benefits from Arasu's service, Govt should issue DAS license to Arasu ASAP.

 

[Viki]

I don't understand what is the need for bringing off topic , "cross-media restrictions" topic here. We are discussing about Karnataka Govt's proposal for cable TV and Arasu Cable TV here , you are bring SCV and SUN Direct here.

You mentioned "company in broadcasting sector can take part either as a cable MSO or a DTH firm." , can you please show me where TRAI has told that?! AFAIK , TRAI has commented only on "cross-media restrictions". The promoters cannot be controlling party on both business , so SUN TV promoter has to sell some % share in SCV or DTH. Same applies to Zee.

Ok , based on your observation also , If SCV or SITI Cable promoters should lose the business based on TRAI rules , why not Arasu?! As per your points , Arasu has invested a lot , it will affect people! In SCV and SITI Cable case also they invested 100%+ more than Arasu and will service disruption will affect people!

It reminds me "Thakkali Juice , Ratham" comedy scene.

 

[M.J.Sadiq]

It reminds me "Thakkali Juice , Ratham" comedy scene.

Nice punch!!

..