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Tag: Arasu

  • ARASU to pay deficit of Rs 138.7 cr to SPNI as per DAS audit : TDSAT order

    ARASU to pay deficit of Rs 138.7 cr to SPNI as per DAS audit : TDSAT order

    Mumbai: In a landmark ruling, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSA) has directed Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corp (TACTV) to pay Rs 138.75 cr to Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) for underreporting the subscriber base as revealed in the DAS audit, leading to financial loss to the broadcaster.

    The amount needs to be paid within two months from the issued order (16 February), said the Tribunal, posting the matter for further proceedings on 9 March. As per the order, the amount is 50 per cent of the original claim amount of Rs 277.58 cr sought by the broadcaster in its petition before the Tribunal in May 2021.

    According to the guidelines of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) pertaining to the NTO regime 2019, all distribution platform operators (DPOs) are required to conduct a Digital Addressable Audit (DAS) audit of their head-ends mandatorily once in a calendar year. The DPOs can choose any of the empanelled auditors listed by Trai for the purpose. In case of any DPO not conducting such audits, the broadcaster can conduct the same via the empanelled auditors for the said calendar year.

    In its petition before the Tribunal, SPNI had stated that TACTV ARASU had been consistently postponing the DAS audit. Despite several reminders by the SPNI distribution team, the distributor kept postponing the audit till November 2020 citing the Covid situation. Finally, the audit was done by the Trai empanelled audit agency- BDO India LLP in December 2020. As per the audit procedures, all the data extraction was done by the ARASU representatives along with the CAS/ SMS vendors in front of the auditors.

    The Auditors submitted the findings and reports to both ARASU and SPNI on 19 January 2021, which on careful analysis revealed that seven ARASU packs that had SPNI channels were not disclosed in the monthly subscriber reports (MSR’s) submitted to SPNI. “This amounts to piracy and under declaration of sub-bases led to a revenue impact for SPNI,” the broadcaster argued.

    Further, a close analysis of the CAS data recovered from 19 February till November 2020 revealed that two packs out of undisclosed seven packs carrying SPNI channels were available to the entire universe of 2.8 million subscribers of ARASU and again, none of these numbers was disclosed to SPNI in the Monthly MSR’s. According to the broadcaster, this has resulted in a huge financial accumulated outstanding impact month on month amounting to a value of Rs. 277.52 Crores, unpaid by ARASU.

    After receiving no response from ARASU despite several reminders, SPNI approached TDAST in May 2021 and submitted the entire case and a prayer for a hearing and resolution on this matter. After prolonged arguments and counter-arguments by the SPNI counsel represented by senior advocate Gopal Jain and Kunal Tandon, the Tribunal was convinced that ARASU has been underreporting the subscriber base due to which SPNI’s legitimate rightful monthly fee accrual was way below the actual rightful amount.

    “If 50 per cent of the amount indicated above is paid within two months, the petitioner (SPNI) shall not issue disconnection notice without seeking leave of the Tribunal,” the order stated.

  • Arasu Cable plans to launch an OTT service

    Arasu Cable plans to launch an OTT service

    MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV), the State-owned MSO of Tamil Nadu, is soon jumping on the OTT bandwagon. In addition to it, the MSO will also be providing IPTV services and internet connectivity to rural and urban households. The information was shared by the state minister for Information Technology M Manikandan in the assembly on Wednesday.

    He also went on to mention that Arasu aims to get a loan of Rs 100 crore in 2019-2020 with a government guarantee. This loan is to cover up the cash flow deficit that the company is witnessing due to purchasing set top boxes. The investment into STBs led to a depletion of funds and so the company could not meet its financial obligations. There was also expenditure due to broadcasting services.

     

  • Arasu digital STB costs Rs 200, govt alerts subs

    Arasu digital STB costs Rs 200, govt alerts subs

    MUMBAI: Government authorities in Tamil Nadu are announcing the basic rate of installing a new STB following complaints by subscribers of the state-owned Arasu Cable TV Corporation that cable operators are charging them around four times the cost. Tirupur operators are reportedly threatening to disconnect the cable services if subscribers do not pay up.

    Tirupur district collector KS Palanisamy stated in a press release that the government had fixed Rs 200 as charges for installing set-top boxes (STBs), which the cable operators were entitled to receive. “If this is violated, those affected should register complaints at toll free number 1800 425 2911,” the Times of India reported.

    A number of subscribers are complaining that cable operators were charging them as much as Rs 700 for installing the free STBs issued by Arasu Cable (TACTV).

    Authorities had declared that the boxes will be installed from 1 September when DAS (digital broadcasting system) was launched. Cable operators however are reportedly threatening the subscribers that if they did not pay by the first week of October, they would disconnect the service.

    A political activist alleged that the cable operators had been providing around half of cable connections without maintaining records. Some cable operators reportedly asked subscribers to buy STBs sold by a private company run by the cable federation, and not the ones issued by Arasu Cable. Such STBs cost around Rs 1,500-Rs 1,700 through which, operators have claimed, more channels could be accessed as compared to Arasu Cable.

  • TN advisory: LCO licences may be cancelled if they bully Arasu subs into buying STBs

    TN advisory: LCO licences may be cancelled if they bully Arasu subs into buying STBs

    MUMBAI: A Tamil Nadu state advisory has informed subscribers of Arasu Cable not to pay money to the local cable operators (LCOs) for set-top boxes (STBs) which are actually being provided to all for free.

    Arasu Cable, as per a state government statement, is the only state-owned undertaking in the country to offer free STBs combined with internet services and digital cable TV, and a three-year warranty.

    Indiantelevision.com had reported that Arasu Cable (TACTV), which had early in September, claimed to have gone digital, was on 25 September asked to “confirm that you have already switched off analogue signals and are carrying only digital encrypted signals on your cable TV network.” In a letter to TACTV, sent by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB), the multi-system operator (MSO) was asked to reply within 10 days of issuance of the letter, “failing which your registration is likely to be suspended/revoked.”

    The state advisory, meantime, now has also cautioned subscribers of Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV) against buying the STB from private dealers, the Times of India reported. If the LCOs were found to be bullying subscribers into paying for STBs, their licence could be cancelled, the state government has warned.

    The advisory has urged subscribers to report cases where LCOs had asked them to buy STBs from private dealers through the Arasu cable helpline.

    The state government had, a month ago, begun distribution of free STBs among Arasu subscribers. Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had launched the service through the government-owned enterprise after inaugurating MPEG-4 upgraded control room for digital signal transmission.

    Arasu’s approximately 70 lakh subscribers would have access to around 180 channels in digital mode. There will be four packages with monthly subscription between Rs 125 and Rs 275 with option of both free and paid channels.

  • MIB asks Arasu: Give proof of analogue switch-off

    MIB asks Arasu: Give proof of analogue switch-off

    NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV), which had early this month claimed to have gone digital, has been asked to “confirm that you have already switched off analogue signals and are carrying only digital encrypted signals on your cable TV network.”

    In a letter to TACTV despatched late in the evening yesterday, the state-owned multi-system operator (Arasu) was told to reply within 10 days of issuance of the letter, “failing which your registration is likely to be suspended/revoked.”

    Copies of the letter have been sent to the police commissioner in Chennai, the secretary in the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and the principal secretary in the Tamil Nadu IT Department.

    The letter sent by the under-secretary Anil Kumar in the Digital Addressable Service (DAS) section in the ministry of information and broadcasting said, “Since the date for TACTV to switch over to digital cable service in the state of Tamil Nadu is already over, you are directed to confirm that you have already switched off analogue signals.”

    By the letter of 17 April 2017, the current letter noted, the ministry had granted provisional MSO registration to TACTV to provide cable TV network services with digital addressable system in Tamil Nadu with the condition that it will switch over to digital TV within three months, failing which its registration is likely to be suspended/revoked.

    Thereafter, following a request received from the Tamil Nadu state government seeking a three-month extension, one month extension up to 17 August 2017 was granted.

    TACTV had, on 1 September, announced the launch of its digital operations with the inauguration of upgraded MPEG 4 control room and distribution of free set top boxes to subscribers.

    Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami launched DAS at Nungambakkam in Chennai. Minister for information technology M Manikandan and the chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan were also present.

    The distribution of free STBs was a promise made in the last AIADMK party manifesto by the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Around seven million Arasu subscribers reportedly got access to 180 channels in digital quality at a monthly subscription of Rs 125.

    The STBs were to be distributed to users through local cable operators who could charge a one-time activation fee of Rs 200. The distribution of free STBs was scheduled to be completed in three months, an official release had stated.

    Meanwhile, the government was yet to take a final decision on repeated reports by TRAI that states, political parties, and religious groups should not be permitted in broadcasting or distribution sectors.

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  • Delayed Arasu DAS starts, 7 mn subs to get 180 channels in Rs 125

    Delayed Arasu DAS starts, 7 mn subs to get 180 channels in Rs 125

    NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV)’s digital operations  (DAS) were launched on 1 September with the inauguration of upgraded MPEG 4 control room and distribution of free set-top boxes. Around seven million Arasu subscribers will now have access to 180 channels in digital quality at a monthly subscription of Rs 125. The STBs will be distributed among users through local cable operators who can charge a one-time activation fee of Rs 200. The distribution of free STBs will be completed in three months, an official release said.

    Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami formally launched the digital addressable system (DAS) at Nungambakkam in Chennai. Minister for information technology M Manikandan and chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan were also present.

    The distribution of free STBs was a promise made in the last AIADMK party manifesto by the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

    The Centre had in April this year given a provisional MSO licence to Arasu on the condition that it had adopts DAS within three months.

    Taking the ground that it had failed to get an adequate number of digital set-top boxes, TACTV had sought extension for three months beyond mid-July, but the Centre had only agreed to one month — till 17 August. Consequently, TACTV has been asked to complete the digitisation process by 17 August 2017 failing which the provisional the “registration may be suspended/revoked.”

    Its present application seeking a further extension is still pending with the information and broadcasting ministry.

    Four monthly packages have been offered to subscribers, including paid and free-to air channels: 180 channels for Rs 125, 230 channels for Rs 175, 260 for Rs 225, and 300 for Rs 275. The subscription fee is exclusive of 18 per cent GST.

    According to government advertisements in the local media, STBs come with a three-year warranty and TACTV is the only state-owned undertaking in India to offer STBs at no cost. TACTV is aiming at six million standard definition (SD) STBs and one million high definition (HD) STBs.

    “The proposed TV services (300 channels to start and to be expanded to 500) will be in MPEG 4 Standard definition and 30 Television services in HD (MPEG4) and 20 FM Audio services with provision to add more SD & HD Channels in the near future,” according to the tender document issued in May this year when seeking STBs.

    It also said the system will ultimately aim to broadcast 500 TV channels, including 50 HD channels and 20 FM audio Channels. The initial subscriber base is expected to be over 7 million.

    Meanwhile, the central government is still to take a final decision on repeated recommendations by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that states the political parties, and religious groups should not be permitted in broadcasting or distribution sectors.

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    Arasu gets a month’s extension to go digital

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  • Arasu to formally launch DAS in Chennai on Sept. 1

    Arasu to formally launch DAS in Chennai on Sept. 1

    NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation, which is still to get a permanent digital licence necessary for an MSO, is formally launching its digital system on 1 September 2017. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is expected to grace the occasion.

    Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had in April this year given a provisional MSO licence to Arasu on the condition that it adopts DAS within three months, a condition that has been extended from time to time.

    Taking the ground that it had failed to get an adequate number of digital set top boxes, TACTV or Arasu had sought extension for three months beyond mid-July, but the centre had only agreed to one month till 17 August 2017. Consequently, TACTV has been asked to complete the digitisation process by 17 August failing which the provisional the “registration may be suspended/revoked.”

    A TACTV official, who did not want to be named, had then told indiantelevision.com that the state government-controlled MSO already put up most of the digital head-ends and would be ready to transmit signals by mid-August.

    According to an Arasu official, the real problem lay in the availability and seeding of seven million digital set top boxes, which may take more time. It had floated tenders in this connection to get India-made STBs, the official had said.

    Arasu is aiming at six million standard definition (SD) set-top boxes and one million high definition (HD) set top boxes.

    The proposed TV services (300 channels to start with that would be expanded to 500) will be in MPEG 4 standard definition. About 30 TV channels would be beamed in HD, while there would be also provision for 20 FM audio services.

    Though the regional party in Tamil Nadu AIADMK, which regained hold over Tamil Nadu few years back, had promised to give free STBs to subscribers as part of its election campaign, Arasu sources said a final call on that will be taken by the chief minister.

    AIADMK, a political ally of the ruling BJP-led coalition in New Delhi, is presently in turmoil and witnessing intra-party churning.

    Few days back, local cable operators had held a protest rally against Arasu alleging that it was being handed favourable treatment by MIB and that distribution of free STBs would upset the business model other players in the state.

    Meanwhile, the government is still to take a final decision on repeated reports by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that states, political parties, and religious groups should not be permitted in broadcasting or distribution sectors.

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  • Arasu ‘monopolistic practices’ decried by LCOs, TN body seeks GST exemption

    Arasu ‘monopolistic practices’ decried by LCOs, TN body seeks GST exemption

    MUMBAI: A Tamil Nadu federation of unions to which hundreds of cable operators owe allegiance has alleged that the Arasu MSO has been following  ‘monopolistic practices’ and acting against the welfare of its members.

    It also made a series of demands from the state and central governments including forming a welfare board for cable TV operators, strict monitoring of Arasu operations by the union ministry and exemption of cable TV operations from Goods and Services Tax (GST).

    The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited (TACTV) had set the subscription fee as Rs 70, which was below the fee recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Of this, cable operators were expected to pay 50 per cent to Arasu, the federation alleged.

    Hundreds of cable TV operators from across Tamil Nadu on Monday observed a fast condemning TACTV for acting against the welfare of cable TV operators.

    The Federation of Cable TV Associations of Tamil Nadu (FCTATN) has alleged that Arasu had claimed that it owned the complete cable the infrastructure and subscribers although TACTV was formed with almost zero investment since the necessary infrastructure and last mile connectivity were provided by the LCOs (local cable TV operators). “This is unfair,” FCTATN chief coordinator D.G.V.P. Sekar said.

    Alleging that TACTV was formed with almost zero investment since all the necessary infrastructure and last mile connectivity were provided by the local cable TV operators, the participants said that it was unfair on the part of TACTV to claim that all the infrastructure and subscribers as its own.

    The operators also accused TACTV of taking away from them the responsibility of collecting subscription fee, and asking the subscribers to directly pay it online. “Now, operators will have to wait for TACTV to credit the share to us,” Sekar said.

    FCTATN members also alleged that TACTV’s taluka-level and district-level control room operators were often appointed on the recommendation of ruling political party functionaries, and acted in an ‘high-handed behaviour’ towards the cable TV operators.

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  • TRAI’s final recommendations on net neutrality likely by September

    NEW DELHI: India’s telecoms and broadcast regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to come out with its final recommendations on net neutrality next month.

    TRAI chairman R S Sharma told indiantelevision.com  that after detailed discussions were held in Bengaluru last month on the consultation paper on Net Neutrality (NN) issued mid-2016, a similar round has been fixed for 30 August 2017 in Delhi after which TRAI will begin work on its final recommendations to ensure national security and customer privacy.

    However, the issue of NN has different meanings in different parts of the globe and depends on how regulators view the issue in terms of their own markets. For example, the present FCC chairman Ajit Pai is in favour of repealing of a regulatory framework that allowed his predecessor to establish robust rules of the road for the internet and is in the process of dismantling the previous regime’s regulatory framework for NN. In Asia too, NN is defined and regulated differently and there is no uniform approach to the issue.

    One of the chief arguments for Net Neutrality, senior tech journalists have argued, is that without rules in place, the internet could well grow into a system of tiers, akin to cable television, in which large content companies would dominate because of their ability to pay for better access to consumers.

    Asked whether the tariff order — which has been in suspended animation for few months now owing to some stakeholders moving Indian courts against its implementation — will come into effect on 2 September 2017, Sharma refused to commit anything as the matter would be subject to the outcome of court decisions.

    Referring to a paper on data protection, he said the present aim was only to start a discussion on the subject. He denied that the consultation paper had anything to do with the controversy around Apple refusing to cooperate on certain demands of the Indian regulator or had been prompted by it. “In fact, the controversy had been kicked off just over a week earlier whereas the paper had been under preparation earlier,” Sharma said.

    Elaborating on TRAI’s guiding principles, the chairman said that the organisation issues a paper or initiates a public debate or comes out with recommendations  for “transparency, (to) ensure non-discrimination, consumer protection, industry’s growth and encourage positive competition.”

    At a time when online piracy and theft of online data is gaining momentum in India, as also criticism of the country’s lack of a comprehensive legislation to protect data, including those mentioned in Adhaar, Sharma said TRAI has taken all the necessary steps to protect consumer data that it collects via its various apps.

    Though Sharma refused to be drawn into the online piracy issue (largely that falls under the domain of Commerce Ministry), he did say that inter-operable set top boxes, being tested by some government organisations in collaboration with TRAI, had provisions for dealing with pirated software.

    When questioned about the permission granted to Tamil Nadu government owned Arasu to distribute digital TV signals and consequent leanings towards similar set-up in the states of Telangana and Punjab, Sharma said the Authority had thrice given recommendations advising that state governments and political or religious groups should not be permitted to enter the broadcasting sector. “We still stand by those recommendations. But the ministry (MIB) has said the recommendations were under consideration,” he added.  

    He agreed that technologies were converging and said that regulations, attitude and outlook will “soon have to move in that direction.”

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  • Kal Cables can continue analogue transmission, says Madras High Court

    Kal Cables can continue analogue transmission, says Madras High Court

    NEW DELHI: In a clear set-back to the ministry of information and broadcasting, digitization has once again been pushed back in Tamil Nadu where it had been put on hold from Phase I of Digital Addressable System following a court order.

    Kal Cables, a subsidiary of the Sun TV Network, got a reprieve from going digital following an interim injunction by the Madras High Court against a Central government order directing all multi-system operators (MSOs) to switch to digital mode.

    Kal Cables was allowed to transmit signals using analogue mode by Justice M Duraiswamy after its counsel and senior advocate A R L Sundaresan argued that state-run Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd had been granted an extension.

    Arasu was granted three months to switch over to the DAS and has since been granted another extension till 17 August 2017.

    All MSOs were supposed to switch to digital transmission by March 31.

    Kal Cables said preferential treatment extended to Arasu by the ministry was arbitrary.

    The matter was put off for further hearing for a week as Additional Solicitor General G. Rajagopalan requested time.