TRAI breathes fire down MSO necks, unhappy with slow progress of cable digitization

[M.J.Sadiq]

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is apparently not pleased with the speed at which Multi System Operators (MSOs) are implementing Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS) in Kolkata. In spite of almost nine months having passed since the government body started aggressively pushing for service providers to embrace DAS, it’s been reported that the Subscriber Management System has not been dealt with fast enough.

While other metros in India are said to have added more than 80% of subscribers’ details and channel choices to the database, Kolkata only has records of 20% of the same. Basically, the Subscriber Management System is a collection of each customer’s Consumer Application Form as well as their channel, package or service preferences. According to the Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems Regulation 2012, Multi System Operators cannot deliver cable TV via a set top box unless the owner has submitted his or her application form.

TRAI has been trying to bring the benefits of digital TV to everyone for quite some time now. On this front, we’ve been seeing public notices including advertisements and tickers being run on various channels over the past few months. One of the ideas behind forcing this change was to standardize the fees charged by operators over complaints of exorbitant rates being demanded in certain places. Then the quality of service was also expected to be enhanced by cable digitization. Based on our experience, we can unhesitatingly note that the last mentioned is far from being achieved.

If service providers are found to be violating the rules set down by TRAI beyond the soon to-be-confirmed deadline, they can invite penal action and any other castigation imposed by the regulatory body.


TRAI breathes fire down MSO necks, unhappy with slow progress of cable digitization - Mobiletor.com

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[M.J.Sadiq]

TRAI concerned over slack DAS implementation

The TRAI has convened a meeting of the leading Multi System Operators (MSOs) in the Metro city of Kolkata to review the progress of implementation of DAS.

"The Authority has observed that even though sufficient time has elapsed since 1st November 2012, the Subscriber Management System of DAS has not been effectively operationalised by the MSOs, providing cable TV service in Kolkata. The Subscriber Management System is to have complete details of the subscribers including their choice of channels. Unless this is done the full benefit of digitization cannot be extended to all the stakeholders including the subscribers. This will also help the subscribers to budget their bills," said TRAI on Friday.

"In this Context, to educate and sensitise the subscribers, TRAI has been issuing public notices from time to time. The broadcasters and the cable TV service providers have also been running scrolls in the TV channels and TV advertisement for the last few months, asking the subscribers to submit the duly filled-in Consumer Application Forms. Through these public notices, scrolls and TV advertisements the subscribers were also alerted about deactivation of cable TV services, in case of non-submission of the forms," it said in a release.

"The reason for this was that, in terms of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems Regulations 2012, MSOs can transmit digital signals and activate the Set Top Box only after receiving the Consumer Application Form from the consumer with his/ her preference and entering all the details in its Subscriber Management System. If there is no form, the MSOs are obliged under law not to transmit the signal and deactivate the cable TV services," said TRAI.

"TRAI expressed its serious concern to the fact that only 20% of the subscribers details and their choices are available in the subscriber management system in Kolkata, whereas this figure is more than 80% in other metro cities and that the inaction on the part of MSOs and LCOs in implementation of DAS is totally unacceptable," it said.

"Accordingly the MSOs have been directed to take immediate steps to ensure that the subscribers details and their choice of channels/ bouquets / services are entered into the Subscriber Management System. The Authority would watch the progress in this regard and would take all possible actions, including penal action as per the TRAI Act, to ensure compliance of its regulatory framework," said TRAI.

The TRAI said cable TV subscribers are requested to cooperate and submit the Consumer Application Forms, complete in all respect, to the respective Cable Operator/ MSO at the earliest, to enjoy the full benefit of digitization.

"In event of failure to do so, MSOs will have no option but to switch off the signal to those consumers who have not submitted their Consumer Application Form, otherwise such MSOs would be in breach of the law," it said.


TRAI concerned over slack DAS implementation

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