TN cable operators intensify DAS licence demand

[aravindan]

Updated: December 1, 2014 02:24 IST

Cable TV operators in the State have threatened to walk out of Arasu Cable network if the State government fails to obtain a digital addressable system (DAS) licence from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting within 15 days.

Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, D.G.V.P. Sekar, chief coordinator, Federation of Cable TV Associations of Tamil Nadu, said if Arasu Cable did not obtain the licence, the operators would form limited companies, obtain licences and set up control rooms in all 32 districts.

Mr. Sekar said Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had recently expressed concerns over the poor implementation of DAS in Chennai. It had asked broadcasters, multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators to take immediate action or face blackouts.

“We cannot leave our customers in the lurch. We have been in the business for the past 25 years now, and there are over 40,000 cable TV operators in the State. Hundreds of employees are also dependant on the industry,” he said.

Complete digitalisation of cable TV networks will lead to better quality viewing across channels.

Source: The Hindu

 

[HOUSE-MD]

Updated: December 1, 2014 02:24 IST

Cable TV operators in the State have threatened to walk out of Arasu Cable network if the State government fails to obtain a digital addressable system (DAS) licence from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting within 15 days.

Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, D.G.V.P. Sekar, chief coordinator, Federation of Cable TV Associations of Tamil Nadu, said if Arasu Cable did not obtain the licence, the operators would form limited companies, obtain licences and set up control rooms in all 32 districts.

Mr. Sekar said Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had recently expressed concerns over the poor implementation of DAS in Chennai. It had asked broadcasters, multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators to take immediate action or face blackouts.

“We cannot leave our customers in the lurch. We have been in the business for the past 25 years now, and there are over 40,000 cable TV operators in the State. Hundreds of employees are also dependant on the industry,” he said.

Complete digitalisation of cable TV networks will lead to better quality viewing across channels.

Source: The Hindu

DAS is really a good thing for both LCO's, MSO's and the public if implemented correctly. With just Rs 50 or 100 additional we shall have access to almost all of our preferred channels.

But with Arasu without license and no idea about set-top-boxes portability its become a costly affair to the people of Chennai as noone knows what happens tomorrow in the chennai cable industry and any investment made on the STB could just become a complete waste if the MSO changes.

Finally after a very long time i felt happy about the cable service after reading this line

in all 32 districts

as Chennai is also a part of these 32 districts (Till date no news or even a single reference from Arasu about Chennai... last news could be 24-36 months old).

 

[aravindan]

DAS is really a good thing for both LCO's, MSO's and the public if implemented correctly. With just Rs 50 or 100 additional we shall have access to almost all of our preferred channels.

But with Arasu without license and no idea about set-top-boxes portability its become a costly affair to the people of Chennai as noone knows what happens tomorrow in the chennai cable industry and any investment made on the STB could just become a complete waste if the MSO changes.

Finally after a very long time i felt happy about the cable service after reading this line as Chennai is also a part of these 32 districts (Till date no news or even a single reference from Arasu about Chennai... last news could be 24-36 months old).

More than anything, we can expect a "Yes or No" answer from Arasu & MIB or TRAI which will decide the fate of TN Cable Industry.

Hope 4 Yr long DAS license - issue may comes to an end in a 15 days time.

Fingers crossed..

 

[HOUSE-MD]

More than anything, we can expect a "Yes or No" answer from Arasu & MIB or TRAI which will decide the fate of TN Cable Industry.

Hope 4 Yr long DAS license - issue may comes to an end in a 15 days time.

Fingers crossed..

Yes, once MIB or TRAI say "Yes or No" as right now its hard to blame one single party for the delay in DAS.

15 days, already Arasu dragged chennai service for over 3 years so 15 days seems too easy for them.