TRAI criticizes ineffective implementation of digital cable systems
Updated: Jul 19, 2013 01:45:52pm
Kolkata, Jul 19 (KNN) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed multi system operators to effectively operationalize the digitization of cable TVs or face consequences after it observed ineffective operationalization of the Subscriber Management System.
“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 operationalized by the MSOs, providing cable TV service in Kolkata,” said an official release.
TRAI has convened a meeting here today, of leading MSOs to review the progress of implementation of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS).
Under the Subscriber Management System, complete details of the subscribers are to be given along with 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,” the release added.
In this context, to educate and sensitise subscribers, TRAI has been issuing public notices from time to time.
The broadcasters and the cable TV service providers have also been running scrolls on TV channels and TV advertisements 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,” said the release.
As per the 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 their preferences 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 the release.
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, the release further added.
According to TRAI, the city is lagging far behind in sending customers' data to the Subscriber Management System (SMS) of DAS - just 20 per cent of the total subscribers' data received as yet - against Delhi (97 per cent), Mumbai (80 per cent) and Chennai (80 per cent) although the last deadline for DAS implementation for four metro cities was November 1, 2012.
TRAI estimates that there are more than 28 lakh cable TV viewers (based on the number of set top boxes sold) in Kolkata that are serviced by nearly 5,000 local cable operators and 14 MSOs. (SD/KNN)
“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 operationalized by the MSOs, providing cable TV service in Kolkata,” said an official release.
TRAI has convened a meeting here today, of leading MSOs to review the progress of implementation of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS).
Under the Subscriber Management System, complete details of the subscribers are to be given along with 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,” the release added.
In this context, to educate and sensitise subscribers, TRAI has been issuing public notices from time to time.
The broadcasters and the cable TV service providers have also been running scrolls on TV channels and TV advertisements 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,” said the release.
As per the 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 their preferences 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 the release.
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, the release further added.
According to TRAI, the city is lagging far behind in sending customers' data to the Subscriber Management System (SMS) of DAS - just 20 per cent of the total subscribers' data received as yet - against Delhi (97 per cent), Mumbai (80 per cent) and Chennai (80 per cent) although the last deadline for DAS implementation for four metro cities was November 1, 2012.
TRAI estimates that there are more than 28 lakh cable TV viewers (based on the number of set top boxes sold) in Kolkata that are serviced by nearly 5,000 local cable operators and 14 MSOs. (SD/KNN)
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