MxMIndia

Tag: MSOs

  • The I&B Ministry has sought the recommendations of the TRAI regarding transmission of local channels or ground based channels operated by LCOs and MSOs

    MIB seeks TRAI recommendations on local channels

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Ministry of I&B has sought the recommendations of TRAI regarding issues relating to transmission of local channels or ground based channels operated at the level of cable TV operator/MSOs. In its reference to TRAI, the ministry has sought to know whether there was a need to put in place a comprehensive set of provisions for local channels to cover issues related to registration mechanism, including eligibility requirements, fee, terms and conditions to be provided for such channels, including the definition of local or ground based channels and their area of operation.

     

    The ministry has also sought views on the issue of transmission of local channels at LCO level in the DAS regime. TRAI in its recommendations dated July 25 2008 had recommended that LCOs shall be permitted to transmit their ground based channels. However, in the current DAS regime only digital addressable signals can be carried out on the cable network, which is generated at the MSO head-end. MIB has also requested the TRAI to state whether there was a case for putting a cap on the total number of ground based channels operated by a single MSO/cable operator.

     

    The TRAI has also been asked to examine whether there is a need to prescribe separate eligibility criteria for cable operators transmitting local news and current affairs channels at their level. Specific recommendations have been sought with regard to eligibility criteria, terms and conditions including foreign investment levels, net-worth criteria and requirement of security clearance etc. for such channels.

     

    The need for putting in place a regulatory framework for local channels being operated at the level of cable TV operators, which has been engaging the attention of the MIB for some time, has assumed greater significance in view of the digitization of cable TV being implemented in the entire country in a phased time-bound manner. At present, cable TV operators/MSOs are transmitting local news, videos and other locally developed content as separate televisions channels in addition to broadcaster-owned satellite channels. These local channels are currently not subject to a regulatory framework unlike private satellite TV channels permitted under the uplinking/downlinking guidelines of the ministry. As a result, local channels continue to mushroom all over the country without having registration /license.

     

    Since the area/jurisdiction within which the programme generated at the level of the cable operators can be transmitted has not been defined in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, it is possible for LCOs and MSOs operating at the local levels to broadcast local channels over a larger geographical area, ie at Regional/State/National level, by transmitting the same content over their entire network. Instances have been brought to the notice of the ministry that some cable operators are also venturing into transmission of local channels over a wider geographical area which includes inter-state and intra state transmission by sharing the same content with others on their network. In such a scenario, local channels are basically operating as State/Regional/National channels like permitted private satellite TV channels, without getting any permission. The intent of allowing cable operators to generate and transmit local programmes is to keep the local people informed of relevant local issues. According to the MIB, this intent is not fulfilled when LCOs and MSOs start networking of the content to cover a larger geographical area. Given the present state of technological advancement, the tendency to network content in a larger geographical area has gained strength.

     

  • The government says it recognises that discrepancies had crept into the digitization data earlier

    Digitization in Delhi crosses 66%, 99% in Mumbai: MIB

    By A Correspondent

     

    As per the data made available to the government by the multi system operators (MSO), the level of cable TV digitization in Delhi has increased to 66 percent. It has been reported by the six private DTH operators that 9.45 lakh households have got DTH connections in Delhi as onOctober 9, 2012. This implies that 19.94 lakh households have cable TV connections. Adding a provision of 20 percent to account for multiple TV homes and TV sets in offices etc., it is implied that about 23.93 lakh subscribers require set top boxes (STBs). As per the data made available by the MSOs, 15.88 lakh STBs have already been installed in Delhi.

     

    Taking into consideration that the fact that figures given by the ministry have been questioned, a press release from the ministry said, “During the initial stage of planning, the data was collated by the Ministry based on the information supplied by the MSOs. On perusal of the data, it was observed that there were grave discrepancies in data, particularly number of cable TV subscribers in four metro cities furnished by the MSOs.” The ministry has thus undertaken the exercise to base the data on Census of India 2011, released by Office of Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, which gives authentic figures relating to households and TV penetration in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

     

    The analysis of data received from four metro cities reveals that overall 77 percent of cable TV digitization has already been achieved. City-wise data shows that the achievement of cable digitization in Mumbai is 99 percent, followed by Kolkata (73 percent), Delhi (66 percent) and Chennai (59 percent). Taking into consideration the progress made by DTH in this sector, the level of digitization goes upto 84 percent in the four metros.

     

  • Four National-level Multi System Operators (MSOs), DEN, Digi Cable, Hathway and WWIL, have announced rates for consumer packages for digital cable

    4 national MSOs announce digital cable TV rates

    By A Correspondent

     

    Towards achieveing the goal of digitization, four National-level Multi System Operators (MSOs), DEN, Digi Cable, Hathway and WWIL, have announced rates for consumer packages for digital cable.  As per TRAI’s stipulation, the Basic Service Tier (BST) consisting of at least 100 channels for Rs 100 has also been announced by some of them. The bouquet rates for pay channels is:

    Name of the Package No. of Channels Rate in Rs. (exclusive of taxes)

    Digicable
    Basic 145 180
    Gold 151 200
    Premium 165 250

    Hathway Cable and Datacom Ltd.
    Basic 135 160
    Medium 198 220
    Premium 242 275

    DEN
    Pack 1 112 180
    Pack 2 219 225
    Pack 3 235 270

    WWIL
    Janta 118 100
    Popular 1( Kolkata) 151 150
    Popular 2( Mumbai) 153 150
    Popular 3( Delhi) 142 150

     

    Consumers will also be given the option of choosing channels from an a la carte list. The MSOs had earlier announced a combined promotional rate of STB for Rs 799.  The MSOs have also announced a consumer care service wherein toll-free numbers including consumer charters have also been made available on the respective websites.

     

  • MxMIndia gets you reactions from industry stakeholders on the government's decision to postpone the digitization deadline for Phase I to October 31, 2012

    Can we achieve the October 31 deadline?

     

    By Shruti Pushkarna

     

    Under mounting pressure from various stakeholders, the government announced an extension of four months for the first phase of digitization of cable television. Digital Addressable System (DAS) will now be effective from November 1 in the four metros, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai.

     

    A press release issued by the I&B Ministry read: “The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2011 has made it mandatory for switchover of the existing analogue Cable TV networks to Digital Addressable System (DAS) by December 2014, in a phased manner. In respect of four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, the digital switchover is mandated to be completed by 30th June 2012.”

     

    But towards the end in the press note, the ministry acknowledged that keeping ground realities in mind, the MIB is compelled to set a new deadline. The statement reads, “…keeping in view public interest and after intensive and extensive consultations, as well as written commitments from all the stakeholders, for fully implementing the regulations of TRAI, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has decided to modify the 30th June deadline for a complete switch over to 31st October 2012 for all four Metro Cities i.e Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. All the TRAI regulations for DAS will come into effect from 1st November, 2012.”

     

    The extension was announced notwithstanding the pending matters before the Delhi and Bombay High Courts and the TDSAT. The Bombay High Court will hear the petition on June 21 and the Delhi High Court will hear the matter on June 25, which is also the date when TDSAT will hear a similar matter filed by LCOs and IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd.

     

    Soon after the announcement of the new sunset date, MxMIndia spoke to various stakeholders to get their reactions on the new timeline and to find out if October 31 is an achievable deadline. While some welcomed the government’s decision for postponement to November 1, others felt that the extension issued by the ministry is not enough for the humongous task at hand.

     

    MSOs welcome the govt’s decision, though some still unsure of achieving the deadline

    Ashok Mansukhani

    Ashok Mansukhani, Director, IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd said: “I think it’s a sensible development and it will help in smooth transition to digitization. The new date is completely achievable, it was fully discussed in the taskforce. I don’t know about Tamil Nadu since the government there is supposed to install the set top boxes but for the other three metros, certainly it will happen. It’s a welcome step and it was fully discussed in the taskforce and it’s a natural result of the taskforce deliberation.”

     

    JS Kohli, CEO, Digicable said: “We are happy with the postponement. Although it’s not a six month extension but yes we can deliver on the new date. We are satisfied with the extension.”

     

    JS Kohli

    Ravi Gupta, Independent MSO, Delhi said: “The new sunset date is good although it is two months less than what we were expecting. They should have given a six months extension, I still don’t think we can achieve the task by November 1. A lot of digital headends are under installation and integration is what takes time. I don’t think anyone from the ministry has done a detailed study of this process. No senior official from the ministry or from the TRAI has visited a digital headend. A minimum of six months extension should have come.”

     

    LCOs happy with the extension but feel four months not enough

    MR Srinivasan, General Secretary, Chennai Metro Cable TV Operators Association said: “It is good in a way because we are not yet ready because in Chennai only 2 lakh boxes are available. But now atleast we have some breathing time. Moreover, the government of Tamil Nadu is planning to start some MSO operation in Chennai, so it’s some relief and we have some time to plan ahead and be ready before the sunset date. Actually we expected an extension upto December but atleast we have got a slight relief, something is better than nothing.”

     

    Sanjay McGee, Local Cable Operator, East Delhi said: “Although it’s a good decision, in the last meeting between LCOs and I&B Ministry, Rajiv Takru agreed that four months extension was not enough. At first the ministry refused any extension, but when we urged on atleast three months extension, Rajiv Takru stated that if there has to be an extension then take atleast six months. But they have taken a middle path and decided on four months. They shouldn’t have announced the extension at this point, they should have waited till June 29. Now the consumer will not take the deadline seriously and the pace will slow down. If we keep working at the same pace as of today, then we might be able to achieve the new deadline.”

     

    Swapan Chowdhury, General Secretary, Cable & Broadband Operators’ Welfare Association, Kolkata said: “I am not satisfied because four months will not cover up the whole situation. Government might have given an extension but they have not considered any facts and figures. I say that because 70 per cent in Kolkata still don’t have set top boxes (STBs), so four months are not enough for deployment of such a huge number of STBs. It will not even happen on November 1. Maybe another 20 or 30 per cent seeding will be done up till the new date but what about the remaining numbers. In the June 8 meeting with the I&B Minister it was categorically mentioned that none of the government appointed nodal officers have checked the actual seeding position or the status of ordered material. Unless and until the government studies the ground situation deeply it will again fall back. The actual facts are different from what’s being presented on paper. They should have given an extension upto atleast Jan 1.”

     

    Broadcasters disappointed with the postponement, suggest on strict penalties for those who don’t adhere to the timelines

    Sunil Lulla

    Sunil Lulla, Managing Director & CEO, Times Television Network said: “It’s a complete disappointment. What is the guarantee that the new date will be held, when there is a date set by law, why should the date be changed? A lot of time, money and effort has gone by broadcasters in promoting and communicating the date and making sure consumers went along. The industry and the consumer suffers because there are some parts of the entire constituent which may not have adhered to these deadlines, may not have implemented the seeding of the boxes. This was announced on the net through a press release, the government hasn’t really notified us. I think it would have made sense for them to invite all stakeholders and agree on a new date if there was to be one and to a process by which these date wont slip.”

     

    Rahul Sood

    Rahul Sood, Head- Network Distribution & Affiliate Sales, NDTV said: “Basically LCOs were pushing for a Jan 1 timeline and broadcasters were saying that if you have to give an extension, it should be only for three months. So I guess they have taken a middle path by extending it upto October 31. The TRAI guidelines which came out on April 30 were such that within six months there has to be implementation of the same. I think that’s the loophole that MSOs and LCOs were quoting and asking for a minimum six months extension. So keeping all that in mind, I think ministry has taken this step. But if as an industry we have this discussion again on October 20, then it’s a real shame. There should be no excuses now, timelines have been extended, now there has to be a joint willingness to from all stakeholders to make sure this happens. While they have issued this date change, I think with that strict penalties and penalization code should be put in place as well for those who don’t adhere to the new timelines.”

     

    An independent commentator says new sunset date ill-conceived

    Dinyar Contractor

    Dinyar Contractor, Editor and Executive Publisher, Satellite and Cable TV Magazine said: “This is not going to work, this date is ill-conceived. There is no way that set top boxes can be procured and deployed in that timeframe even if the order is released today. As I’ve mentioned earlier, delivery time on set top boxes alone is around four months so this extension makes no sense except postponing one more extension. Any date prior to end of December is not realistic and is not going to resolve the problems or the issue, which is obtaining and deploying set top boxes. So I feel that the extension is inappropriate.”