TRAI warns Chennai cable operators

Chennai:Telecom and broadcast regulator, TRAI, has expressed serious concern over the tardy implementation of cable digitisation in Chennai and has directed all stakeholders to stop transmitting analogue signals in the region.Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said that TV channels are still being aired in analogue mode in the Chennai Metropolitan area by some Multi System Operators (MSOs) and cable operators. “Analogue transmission has to be stopped and complete addressable digitisation is to be implemented. The subscriber management system of the MSOs must have complete details of the subscribers including the choice of channels opted by them,” it said.The regulator has directed all stakeholders to take immediate action for effective implementation of digitisation of cable in Chennai. “The Authority would closely monitor the progress in this regard and would take all possible actions, including penal action according to the TRAI Act, to ensure complianceof its regulatory framework,” TRAI cautioned.It also directed broadcasters to provide the channels to only those MSOs which are registered for providing digital cable TV services. TRAI, on December 9, convened a meeting of Broadcasters, MSOs, Cable Operators Association of Chennai to review the progress of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS) in Chennai. TRAI said the Cable TV Act brought in by Parliament mandated that the cable TV signals should be supplied/transmitted only in Digital Addressable mode. The deadline for implementation of DAS in the metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai was November 1, 2012, TRAI pointed out.The regulatory framework for implementation of DAS has already been put in place by TRAI in April/May 2012. This includes regulations on Interconnection, Quality of Service and Consumer Complaint Redressal and TarifWhile DAS has been successfully implemented in the metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, the sameis not the case in Chennai, TRAI has stated. It has been reported that TV channels are still being transmitted/retransmitted in analog mode/ uncrypted mode in Chennai Metropolitan Area, by some of the Multi System Operators/Cable Operators.The Analog transmission has to be stopped and complete addressable digitsation has to be implemented, TRAI has warned. The Subscriber Management System of the MSOs must have complete details of the subscribers including their choice of channels/services opted by them. Unless this is done, the full effect of digitisation cannot be extended to all the stakeholders including the subscribers. TRAI has today directed all the stakeholders to take immediate action for effective implementation of DAS or face consequences. Broadcasters have been directed to provide thesignals of their TV channels to only those MSOs who are registered for providing cable services through DAS and who are providing the cable services through DAS, meeting the requirementof the regulatory framework notified by the Authority. The MSOs have been directed to take immediate steps to ensure that only digital and encrypted signals are transmitted in their network and and duly filled in Consumer Application Forms (CAFs) are collected from thesubscriber and complete details of CAFs including choice of channels are entered into the Subscriber Management System. The Authority would closely monitor the progress in this regard and would take all possible action including penal action as per theTRAI Act, to ensure compliance of its regulatoryframework.TRAI said, "Cable TV subscribers of Chennai are informed that since transmission of analog cable TV signal is illegal in Chennai, please ensure that you receive your cable connection only from cable TV operators supplying DAS signal, else your cable TV connection may be switched off anytime." "Further, cable TV subscribers are requested to co-operate and submit the Consumer Application Forms, complete in all respects, to the respective Cable Operator/ MSO at the earliest to enjoy the full benefit of digitisation. In the event of failure to do so, MSO will have no option but to switch off the signal to those consumers who have not submitted their CAF, otherwise such MSOs would be in breach of the law, TRAI has warned.