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Category: DAS

  • Justice Sachdeva refuses more time for cable digitisation

    Justice Sachdeva refuses more time for cable digitisation

    MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court has asked two cable operators to ensure that all analogue connections are converted to digital by 24 November while denying grant of any further time for installation of digital set-top boxes. The central government had asked all cable operators to install set-top boxes by 31 December, 2016.

    Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva ordered the cable operators to make sure that the conversion is over by 24 November, and all its subscribers are clearly informed about the switchover.

    “The notification was issued by the Government on 11 November, 2011. Around five years have elapsed from the said date when the operators were made aware that they have to change over to DAS. The petition was filed in February, 2016, and now we are in November. The petitioners have already got sufficient time to complete the installation of set-top boxes and the changeover to DAS. Even post the filing of the present petition, approximately nine months have passed,” the court noted as it said there was no justification for granting more time.

    The two cable operators had gone to court seeking time for installation of STBs while appealing that, till the completion of the installation, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting be restrained from discontinuing supply of analogue signal.

    On 3 November 2016, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation hailed the order passed by the Delhi High Court dismissing nine DAS-related petitions. The petitions also dealt with the time extension for implementing digital addressable system (DAS) in certain areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Uttar Pradesh under Phase-III, the deadline for which had expired on 31 December 2015. There is however no change in DAS Phase IV deadline, which continues to be 31 December 2016. With the dismissal of these petitions, the stay granted by various high courts in areas covered by the above-mentioned nine cases stands vacated and will no longer apply.

    Meanwhile around 30 more multi-system operators (MSOs) received provisional registration in October. The total of MSOs has risen to 1033 with just around seven weeks to go for switching off analogue signals and completion of digital addressable system for cable television in India. While the total of provisional licences as on 31 October went up from 774 to 804, the number of permanent licences (10 years) remained static at 229.

  • Justice Sachdeva refuses more time for cable digitisation

    Justice Sachdeva refuses more time for cable digitisation

    MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court has asked two cable operators to ensure that all analogue connections are converted to digital by 24 November while denying grant of any further time for installation of digital set-top boxes. The central government had asked all cable operators to install set-top boxes by 31 December, 2016.

    Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva ordered the cable operators to make sure that the conversion is over by 24 November, and all its subscribers are clearly informed about the switchover.

    “The notification was issued by the Government on 11 November, 2011. Around five years have elapsed from the said date when the operators were made aware that they have to change over to DAS. The petition was filed in February, 2016, and now we are in November. The petitioners have already got sufficient time to complete the installation of set-top boxes and the changeover to DAS. Even post the filing of the present petition, approximately nine months have passed,” the court noted as it said there was no justification for granting more time.

    The two cable operators had gone to court seeking time for installation of STBs while appealing that, till the completion of the installation, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting be restrained from discontinuing supply of analogue signal.

    On 3 November 2016, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation hailed the order passed by the Delhi High Court dismissing nine DAS-related petitions. The petitions also dealt with the time extension for implementing digital addressable system (DAS) in certain areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Uttar Pradesh under Phase-III, the deadline for which had expired on 31 December 2015. There is however no change in DAS Phase IV deadline, which continues to be 31 December 2016. With the dismissal of these petitions, the stay granted by various high courts in areas covered by the above-mentioned nine cases stands vacated and will no longer apply.

    Meanwhile around 30 more multi-system operators (MSOs) received provisional registration in October. The total of MSOs has risen to 1033 with just around seven weeks to go for switching off analogue signals and completion of digital addressable system for cable television in India. While the total of provisional licences as on 31 October went up from 774 to 804, the number of permanent licences (10 years) remained static at 229.

  • DAS III: IBF welcomes Delhi HC order

    DAS III: IBF welcomes Delhi HC order

    MUMBAI: The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has welcomed the order passed by the Delhi High Court on 3 November 2016 dismissing nine DAS-related petitions. The petitions dealt with the time extension for implementing digital addressable system (DAS) in certain areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Uttar Pradesh under Phase-III, the deadline for which had expired on 31 December 2015.

    There is no change in DAS Phase IV deadline, which continues to be 31 December 2016.

    With the dismissal of these petitions, the stay granted by various high courts in areas covered by the above-mentioned nine cases stands vacated and will no longer apply.

    The Delhi High Court, dismissing these petitions, has also directed the petitioners to switch over to digital addressable systems within three weeks i.e. by 24 November 2016 and inform the subscribers by running a scroll on their networks about the digital switchover deadline

    The high courts in various parts of the country had earlier granted stay in certain matters on DAS Phase III deadline. The stay orders had stalled the implementation of DAS Phase III in those areas. This prompted the MIB to move the Supreme Court to get all the cases transferred to the apex court.

    The SC made Delhi High Court as the designated court for all cases related to DAS Phase III. The above-mentioned order of the Delhi High Court has removed the impediments in implementation of DAS in Phase – III areas.

    The IBF has advised all its member-broadcasters to apprise all its affiliate multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators about the said switchover deadline of 24 November 2016 in these Phase – III areas and make it clear that after the said date the channels can be received only through a digital set-top box. The subscribers in these areas are advised to immediately contact their respective local cable operators (LCOs)/MSOs to ensure the installation of STBs before the expiry of the above-mentioned deadline.

  • DAS III: IBF welcomes Delhi HC order

    DAS III: IBF welcomes Delhi HC order

    MUMBAI: The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has welcomed the order passed by the Delhi High Court on 3 November 2016 dismissing nine DAS-related petitions. The petitions dealt with the time extension for implementing digital addressable system (DAS) in certain areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Uttar Pradesh under Phase-III, the deadline for which had expired on 31 December 2015.

    There is no change in DAS Phase IV deadline, which continues to be 31 December 2016.

    With the dismissal of these petitions, the stay granted by various high courts in areas covered by the above-mentioned nine cases stands vacated and will no longer apply.

    The Delhi High Court, dismissing these petitions, has also directed the petitioners to switch over to digital addressable systems within three weeks i.e. by 24 November 2016 and inform the subscribers by running a scroll on their networks about the digital switchover deadline

    The high courts in various parts of the country had earlier granted stay in certain matters on DAS Phase III deadline. The stay orders had stalled the implementation of DAS Phase III in those areas. This prompted the MIB to move the Supreme Court to get all the cases transferred to the apex court.

    The SC made Delhi High Court as the designated court for all cases related to DAS Phase III. The above-mentioned order of the Delhi High Court has removed the impediments in implementation of DAS in Phase – III areas.

    The IBF has advised all its member-broadcasters to apprise all its affiliate multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators about the said switchover deadline of 24 November 2016 in these Phase – III areas and make it clear that after the said date the channels can be received only through a digital set-top box. The subscribers in these areas are advised to immediately contact their respective local cable operators (LCOs)/MSOs to ensure the installation of STBs before the expiry of the above-mentioned deadline.

  • Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC

    Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC

    MUMBAI: Siti Networks executive director & CEO V.D. Wadhwa has welcomed the Delhi High Court judgement which, on 3 November, overruled the orders passed by various other high courts whereby the stay granted for extension of digitisation for nine cases spanning four states in DAS Phase III will no longer be applicable.

    The DAS Phase III implementation deadline of 31 December 2015 had been impacted due to stay orders taken in various high courts. On the basis of the ministry of information & broadcasting’s recommendation, in April, the Supreme Court had transferred all cases related to extension of DAS Phase III deadline to the Delhi High Court, thus making it a designated court for all related matters.

    Welcoming the judgement, Wadhwa said that the dismissal of the nine cases by the Delhi High Court will pave the path for cable TV digitisation in phase III areas and allow for its timely implementation in phase IV localities as well.

    In his 3 November order, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva of the Delhi High Court’s single bench has directed all nine petitioners to run a scroll on their networks about digitization and switch off analog signals in three weeks. Justice Sachdeva also said that these cases were infructuous as the time sought for extension had already been given and the extension has well passed those dates. The nine cases for which the order was given are from four states, namely, Karnataka (Riddhi Vision, Victory Digital, Sri Chowdeshwary Cable Network, Yogesh Cable Networks, Amma TV), Kerala (Athulay Infomedia), Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Panchajanya Media), and Uttar Pradesh (Sai Cable TV Network, Sunil Kr Singh).

    Wadhwa added: “Digitisation is very important for not just the consumers, who will get better service and more choice in terms of channel packages, but also for local cable operators, MSOs and broadcasters. It will allow for parity in sharing of revenues as per TRAI guidelines. This will also aid in increasing the internet penetration in the country and thus realizing the digital India dream. I would urge all concerned to immediately comply with the honorable court’s orders to seed digital set-top boxes and switching off of analog signals in three weeks’ time.”

    All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the industry body representing Multi System Operators (MSO), has asked all its members to work with broadcasters to switch off analogue signals and implement digitisation in DAS Phase III markets immediately in line with the court order.

    AIDCF has urged all LCOs, MSOs, broadcasters and government bodies to help complete digitisation at the earliest. In a separate mail sent to Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), the apex body for television broadcasters, AIDCF has asked them to shut down analogue and broadcast digital signals only.

    Wadhwa, in his capacity as the president of AIDCF, thanked Justice Sachdeva for this important order to pave the way for digitisation.

  • Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC

    Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC

    MUMBAI: Siti Networks executive director & CEO V.D. Wadhwa has welcomed the Delhi High Court judgement which, on 3 November, overruled the orders passed by various other high courts whereby the stay granted for extension of digitisation for nine cases spanning four states in DAS Phase III will no longer be applicable.

    The DAS Phase III implementation deadline of 31 December 2015 had been impacted due to stay orders taken in various high courts. On the basis of the ministry of information & broadcasting’s recommendation, in April, the Supreme Court had transferred all cases related to extension of DAS Phase III deadline to the Delhi High Court, thus making it a designated court for all related matters.

    Welcoming the judgement, Wadhwa said that the dismissal of the nine cases by the Delhi High Court will pave the path for cable TV digitisation in phase III areas and allow for its timely implementation in phase IV localities as well.

    In his 3 November order, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva of the Delhi High Court’s single bench has directed all nine petitioners to run a scroll on their networks about digitization and switch off analog signals in three weeks. Justice Sachdeva also said that these cases were infructuous as the time sought for extension had already been given and the extension has well passed those dates. The nine cases for which the order was given are from four states, namely, Karnataka (Riddhi Vision, Victory Digital, Sri Chowdeshwary Cable Network, Yogesh Cable Networks, Amma TV), Kerala (Athulay Infomedia), Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Panchajanya Media), and Uttar Pradesh (Sai Cable TV Network, Sunil Kr Singh).

    Wadhwa added: “Digitisation is very important for not just the consumers, who will get better service and more choice in terms of channel packages, but also for local cable operators, MSOs and broadcasters. It will allow for parity in sharing of revenues as per TRAI guidelines. This will also aid in increasing the internet penetration in the country and thus realizing the digital India dream. I would urge all concerned to immediately comply with the honorable court’s orders to seed digital set-top boxes and switching off of analog signals in three weeks’ time.”

    All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the industry body representing Multi System Operators (MSO), has asked all its members to work with broadcasters to switch off analogue signals and implement digitisation in DAS Phase III markets immediately in line with the court order.

    AIDCF has urged all LCOs, MSOs, broadcasters and government bodies to help complete digitisation at the earliest. In a separate mail sent to Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), the apex body for television broadcasters, AIDCF has asked them to shut down analogue and broadcast digital signals only.

    Wadhwa, in his capacity as the president of AIDCF, thanked Justice Sachdeva for this important order to pave the way for digitisation.

  • DAS cases put off to 23 Nov as legal processes incomplete

    DAS cases put off to 23 Nov as legal processes incomplete

    NEW DELHI: All legal cases related to third phase of Digital Addressable System (DAS), listed before a division bench headed by Justice G Rohini of Delhi High Court, have been adjourned to 23 November 2016.

    The bench comprising Justice G Rohini and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal did not hear the various cases as it was informed that some legal processes relating to the cases had not been completed. Earlier on 18 October 2016, the division bench had taken cognisance of all cases that challenged any constitutional norms.  

    Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva had issued notice in September on two more petitions — filed by Om Systems of Mumbai and Digiana— related to Phase III of DAS. The cases also include an application by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation for being impleaded in the case.

    Earlier, on 26 September 2016, the division bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal had held that two matters, filed by Indusind Media & Communication Ltd and Bhima Riddhi Digital Services, were challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of Maharashtra Entertainment Duty Act, 1923 as amended by Maharashtra Entertainment Duty (Amendment and Continuance) Act, 2014 and not the validity of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) Regulations 2012.

    The Supreme Court had on 1 April 2016 this year accepted the plea of the Central Government that “it would be just and proper” to transfer to Delhi High Court all cases pending in different High Courts, many of which had given injunction orders.

    A total of 62 cases had been filed by some multi-system operators (MSOs) in various courts in the country for extension in the deadline of Phase lll. Out of these 62 cases, 12 cases had been disposed of by respective courts and three cases had been withdrawn by the petitioners.

    ALSO READ:  DAS petitions challenging constitutional provisions listed for 3 November

    Several DAS III petitions may be transferred to Division Bench of Delhi High Court

    Two more DAS cases put off to Oct. in Delhi HC

  • DAS cases put off to 23 Nov as legal processes incomplete

    DAS cases put off to 23 Nov as legal processes incomplete

    NEW DELHI: All legal cases related to third phase of Digital Addressable System (DAS), listed before a division bench headed by Justice G Rohini of Delhi High Court, have been adjourned to 23 November 2016.

    The bench comprising Justice G Rohini and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal did not hear the various cases as it was informed that some legal processes relating to the cases had not been completed. Earlier on 18 October 2016, the division bench had taken cognisance of all cases that challenged any constitutional norms.  

    Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva had issued notice in September on two more petitions — filed by Om Systems of Mumbai and Digiana— related to Phase III of DAS. The cases also include an application by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation for being impleaded in the case.

    Earlier, on 26 September 2016, the division bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal had held that two matters, filed by Indusind Media & Communication Ltd and Bhima Riddhi Digital Services, were challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of Maharashtra Entertainment Duty Act, 1923 as amended by Maharashtra Entertainment Duty (Amendment and Continuance) Act, 2014 and not the validity of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) Regulations 2012.

    The Supreme Court had on 1 April 2016 this year accepted the plea of the Central Government that “it would be just and proper” to transfer to Delhi High Court all cases pending in different High Courts, many of which had given injunction orders.

    A total of 62 cases had been filed by some multi-system operators (MSOs) in various courts in the country for extension in the deadline of Phase lll. Out of these 62 cases, 12 cases had been disposed of by respective courts and three cases had been withdrawn by the petitioners.

    ALSO READ:  DAS petitions challenging constitutional provisions listed for 3 November

    Several DAS III petitions may be transferred to Division Bench of Delhi High Court

    Two more DAS cases put off to Oct. in Delhi HC

  • Arasu says MIB can’t enforce analogue switchoff in Chennai on 31 Dec ’16

    Arasu says MIB can’t enforce analogue switchoff in Chennai on 31 Dec ’16

    MUMBAI: Digital addressable system (DAS) or digitisation of India cable TV could well see a further slowdown if the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd (TACTV) has its way. The government-owned Chennai-based MSO has written to the information and broadcasting ministry (MIB) saying that its order to broadcasters to shut off analogue signals by 31 December 2016 cannot be adhered to for the city.

    The reason: the Madras High Court has yet to pass judgment on TACTV’s litigation with the MIB and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on the applicability of DAS regulations in Chennai and on the issue of a DAS licence to it.

    TACTV had earlier applied to the MIB for a DAS licence but not met with any success as both it and the TRAI believe that distribution of television via cable TV should be kept out of the purview of government owned undertakings, which the former is.

    Following the rejection of its application, the cable TV MSO had approached the Madras High Court through two writ petitions bearing nos. 7067/2013 and 7068/2013. Both had sought direction to the MIB to process its DAS licence applications dated 5 July 2012, and 23 November 2012. But both are pending before the court.

    The Madras High Court had then passed a restraining order on writ petitions 34213/2013 and 40365 of 2015, disallowing the disconnection of analogue TV signals in Chennai.

    TACTV says that if broadcasters heed the 31 December 2016 analogue signal switch off notification sent by the MIB to them, it would tantamount to contempt of court and could attract proceedings in that direction.

    The cable TV MSO says that the “MIB had itself admitted as much in a counter affidavit dated November 18, 2013 filed before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).”

    TRAI had through a press release on 10 December 2013 termed the transmission of analogue signals in Chennai as illegal and had tried to restrain TACTV from transmitting the same.

  • Arasu says MIB can’t enforce analogue switchoff in Chennai on 31 Dec ’16

    Arasu says MIB can’t enforce analogue switchoff in Chennai on 31 Dec ’16

    MUMBAI: Digital addressable system (DAS) or digitisation of India cable TV could well see a further slowdown if the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd (TACTV) has its way. The government-owned Chennai-based MSO has written to the information and broadcasting ministry (MIB) saying that its order to broadcasters to shut off analogue signals by 31 December 2016 cannot be adhered to for the city.

    The reason: the Madras High Court has yet to pass judgment on TACTV’s litigation with the MIB and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on the applicability of DAS regulations in Chennai and on the issue of a DAS licence to it.

    TACTV had earlier applied to the MIB for a DAS licence but not met with any success as both it and the TRAI believe that distribution of television via cable TV should be kept out of the purview of government owned undertakings, which the former is.

    Following the rejection of its application, the cable TV MSO had approached the Madras High Court through two writ petitions bearing nos. 7067/2013 and 7068/2013. Both had sought direction to the MIB to process its DAS licence applications dated 5 July 2012, and 23 November 2012. But both are pending before the court.

    The Madras High Court had then passed a restraining order on writ petitions 34213/2013 and 40365 of 2015, disallowing the disconnection of analogue TV signals in Chennai.

    TACTV says that if broadcasters heed the 31 December 2016 analogue signal switch off notification sent by the MIB to them, it would tantamount to contempt of court and could attract proceedings in that direction.

    The cable TV MSO says that the “MIB had itself admitted as much in a counter affidavit dated November 18, 2013 filed before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).”

    TRAI had through a press release on 10 December 2013 termed the transmission of analogue signals in Chennai as illegal and had tried to restrain TACTV from transmitting the same.