ITV

Tag: DAS

  • Taj TV not to give effect to disconnection notices if GTPL Hathway makes payment as per schedule

    Taj TV not to give effect to disconnection notices if GTPL Hathway makes payment as per schedule

    New Delhi, 12 March: Taj Television has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal not to give effect to its disconnection notice if GTPL Hathway Pvt. Ltd makes payment according to schedule agreed before it.

    While directing the matter to be listed before the Registrar on 7 April, Chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava worked out a formula for payment of Rs 63 crore in five instalments.

    The Tribunal made clear that the last payment of Rs.11 crore in the formula agree upon was to come from GTPL Hathway’s JVs and this would be subject to reconciliation of accounts between the parties which should be completed by 20 March. It said the balance dues after reconciliation of accounts which may be Rs.11 crores or a little more or less must be cleared by 31 March. 

    GTPL Hathway was directed to facilitate the payment of the last installment by its JVs to Taj TV and to ensure that the payments are finally made by 31 March.

    Two other respondents in turn are directed to pay the amount of carriage fee of Rs.22 crores to the petitioner on or before 15April.

    The monthly subscription for the months of February and March 2016 for DAS networks [other than DL GTPL CABLE NET, VAJI Communications and GTPL Hathway Pvt. Ltd and March, 2016 for Non-DAS will be cleared by 25 April.

    But the Tribunal said: “Needless to say that the payments in terms of the above order will be on-account and without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties.”

    The two petitions were filed against disconnection notices dated 13 February and 14 February. The disconnection notices are based on grounds of non-payment of monthly subscription fee and non-execution of the fresh agreements.

    According to counsel for the respondent, its cumulative dues against the petitioner (both in DAS and non-DAS) areas amount to Rs.66 crores as on 12 February.

    But counsel for GTPL Hathway strongly argued that the petitioner was entitled to carriage fee from two respondents and the dues of its carriage fee against these two respondents amounted to around Rs.25 crores. The petitioner further argued that the agreement was based on incremental tariff that was recommended by TRAI but which was later on set aside by the Tribunal and on that score also, the petitioner is entitled to adjustment of Rs.11 crores against the dues claimed by the petitioner.

    Counsel for the respondent submitted that as stipulated in the interconnect agreement between the parties, the dues of subscription fee are payable independent of any adjustments, including any adjustment against carriage fee which was the subject matter of a separate agreement between the petitioner and the other two respondents.  In any event, the agreement relating to carriage fee has expired.

    In course of submissions however, it transpired that the dues of carriage fee claimed by the petitioner may come down to Rs.22 crores and similarly the subscription dues of Taj TV against the petitioner may come down to Rs.63 crores.

    The Tribunal thereupon asked GTPL Hathway to pay to Taj TV a sum of Rs.63 crores in five instalments, of which the last would be on 31 March.

     

  • Taj TV not to give effect to disconnection notices if GTPL Hathway makes payment as per schedule

    Taj TV not to give effect to disconnection notices if GTPL Hathway makes payment as per schedule

    New Delhi, 12 March: Taj Television has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal not to give effect to its disconnection notice if GTPL Hathway Pvt. Ltd makes payment according to schedule agreed before it.

    While directing the matter to be listed before the Registrar on 7 April, Chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava worked out a formula for payment of Rs 63 crore in five instalments.

    The Tribunal made clear that the last payment of Rs.11 crore in the formula agree upon was to come from GTPL Hathway’s JVs and this would be subject to reconciliation of accounts between the parties which should be completed by 20 March. It said the balance dues after reconciliation of accounts which may be Rs.11 crores or a little more or less must be cleared by 31 March. 

    GTPL Hathway was directed to facilitate the payment of the last installment by its JVs to Taj TV and to ensure that the payments are finally made by 31 March.

    Two other respondents in turn are directed to pay the amount of carriage fee of Rs.22 crores to the petitioner on or before 15April.

    The monthly subscription for the months of February and March 2016 for DAS networks [other than DL GTPL CABLE NET, VAJI Communications and GTPL Hathway Pvt. Ltd and March, 2016 for Non-DAS will be cleared by 25 April.

    But the Tribunal said: “Needless to say that the payments in terms of the above order will be on-account and without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties.”

    The two petitions were filed against disconnection notices dated 13 February and 14 February. The disconnection notices are based on grounds of non-payment of monthly subscription fee and non-execution of the fresh agreements.

    According to counsel for the respondent, its cumulative dues against the petitioner (both in DAS and non-DAS) areas amount to Rs.66 crores as on 12 February.

    But counsel for GTPL Hathway strongly argued that the petitioner was entitled to carriage fee from two respondents and the dues of its carriage fee against these two respondents amounted to around Rs.25 crores. The petitioner further argued that the agreement was based on incremental tariff that was recommended by TRAI but which was later on set aside by the Tribunal and on that score also, the petitioner is entitled to adjustment of Rs.11 crores against the dues claimed by the petitioner.

    Counsel for the respondent submitted that as stipulated in the interconnect agreement between the parties, the dues of subscription fee are payable independent of any adjustments, including any adjustment against carriage fee which was the subject matter of a separate agreement between the petitioner and the other two respondents.  In any event, the agreement relating to carriage fee has expired.

    In course of submissions however, it transpired that the dues of carriage fee claimed by the petitioner may come down to Rs.22 crores and similarly the subscription dues of Taj TV against the petitioner may come down to Rs.63 crores.

    The Tribunal thereupon asked GTPL Hathway to pay to Taj TV a sum of Rs.63 crores in five instalments, of which the last would be on 31 March.

     

  • DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    New Delhi: With the Supreme Court stating that the stay on Phase III of digital addressable system by the Bombay High Court is not pan-India, stakeholders in three states – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh – have received further extensions for varying periods.

    While the Hyderabad High Court has clubbed the two cases of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and granted a four week extension, the Allahabad High Court extended the stay for three more months.

    The Hyderabad High Court which received the counter-affidavit from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, gave time to the petitioners in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana – AP MSOs Federation and Federation of Telangana MSOs – to file their replies,

    The plea taken by both the petitioners had been the shortage of set top boxes, which had in late December led to a two month extension.

    The Supreme Court had made the observation on an appeal by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, which was subsequently withdrawn.

    In Allahabad, where the petitioners have also taken the plea of shortage of STBs, the High Court directed I&B Ministry as well as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to file counter-affidavits within four weeks.

     “In the meanwhile, we direct the respondents not to disconnect the cable TV network operated by the petitioner through the analogue system for a period of three months from today,” the court said.

    DAS Phase III has already been stayed for varying periods by High Courts in Assam, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, for the entire states, apart from Tamil Nadu where prolonged legal cases have been pending since Phase I.

    In Karnataka, three individual stakeholders have got stay orders in Mangalore and Mysore areas while there is no state-wide stay. However, MSOs and Local Cable Operators in various parts of Karnataka told indiantelevision.com that transmission is still being use in analogue mode even in areas that fall in Phase III but for which no stay has been obtained.

    Interestingly, Ministry sources admitted to indiantelevision.com that there was a misreading of the Bombay High Court directive. The Court had merely refereed to the Kusum Ingots & Alloys Ltd vs the Union of India 2004 case to say that if one High Court gives a stay, another High Court can act in similar fashion if the facts are similar – in this case, shortage of STBs. Thus, they agree that the High Court stay was only confined to Maharashtra and not pan-India.

    The Bombay High Court passed a unique judgment stating that the Hyderabad High Court order would be applicable across India as per the Supreme Court judgment in.

    Meanwhile, The Ministry has filed a similar petition and sought not merely vacation of the stay orders by various High Courts, but also clubbing the cases together.

    The meeting of the Phase III and Phase IV Task Force – the first to be held after the 31 December deadline of Phase III – was told by Ministry Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya that the percentage achievement had increased from 76.45 per cent as on 30 December 2015 to 90.44 per cent as on 15 February 2016.

    It was also claimed that the seeding of set top boxes by multi system operators increased from 6.91 million (69.1 lakh) to 12.43 million (124.3 lakh) for the same period.

    DAS Phase III covers 33.18 million (331.8 lakh( TV households across 29 states and five Union Territories, after changes made in updates for various states.

    Although Phase III was aimed at covering all remaining urban areas in the country, Ministry sources admitted that several urban may now be clubbed with the rural areas where the deadline is 31 December 2016.

  • DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    New Delhi: With the Supreme Court stating that the stay on Phase III of digital addressable system by the Bombay High Court is not pan-India, stakeholders in three states – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh – have received further extensions for varying periods.

    While the Hyderabad High Court has clubbed the two cases of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and granted a four week extension, the Allahabad High Court extended the stay for three more months.

    The Hyderabad High Court which received the counter-affidavit from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, gave time to the petitioners in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana – AP MSOs Federation and Federation of Telangana MSOs – to file their replies,

    The plea taken by both the petitioners had been the shortage of set top boxes, which had in late December led to a two month extension.

    The Supreme Court had made the observation on an appeal by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, which was subsequently withdrawn.

    In Allahabad, where the petitioners have also taken the plea of shortage of STBs, the High Court directed I&B Ministry as well as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to file counter-affidavits within four weeks.

     “In the meanwhile, we direct the respondents not to disconnect the cable TV network operated by the petitioner through the analogue system for a period of three months from today,” the court said.

    DAS Phase III has already been stayed for varying periods by High Courts in Assam, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, for the entire states, apart from Tamil Nadu where prolonged legal cases have been pending since Phase I.

    In Karnataka, three individual stakeholders have got stay orders in Mangalore and Mysore areas while there is no state-wide stay. However, MSOs and Local Cable Operators in various parts of Karnataka told indiantelevision.com that transmission is still being use in analogue mode even in areas that fall in Phase III but for which no stay has been obtained.

    Interestingly, Ministry sources admitted to indiantelevision.com that there was a misreading of the Bombay High Court directive. The Court had merely refereed to the Kusum Ingots & Alloys Ltd vs the Union of India 2004 case to say that if one High Court gives a stay, another High Court can act in similar fashion if the facts are similar – in this case, shortage of STBs. Thus, they agree that the High Court stay was only confined to Maharashtra and not pan-India.

    The Bombay High Court passed a unique judgment stating that the Hyderabad High Court order would be applicable across India as per the Supreme Court judgment in.

    Meanwhile, The Ministry has filed a similar petition and sought not merely vacation of the stay orders by various High Courts, but also clubbing the cases together.

    The meeting of the Phase III and Phase IV Task Force – the first to be held after the 31 December deadline of Phase III – was told by Ministry Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya that the percentage achievement had increased from 76.45 per cent as on 30 December 2015 to 90.44 per cent as on 15 February 2016.

    It was also claimed that the seeding of set top boxes by multi system operators increased from 6.91 million (69.1 lakh) to 12.43 million (124.3 lakh) for the same period.

    DAS Phase III covers 33.18 million (331.8 lakh( TV households across 29 states and five Union Territories, after changes made in updates for various states.

    Although Phase III was aimed at covering all remaining urban areas in the country, Ministry sources admitted that several urban may now be clubbed with the rural areas where the deadline is 31 December 2016.

  • Encourage greater indigenous STB production with tax holiday in budget for DAS to succeed

    Encourage greater indigenous STB production with tax holiday in budget for DAS to succeed

    NEW DELHI: With the Government hoping to achieve complete digitisation of the cable television sector by the end of this calendar year, it is imperative that the Union Budget for 2016-17 being presented on Monday has important concessions for the industry.

    Perhaps the most important step would be to give infrastructure status to the Broadcast, Cable and direct-to-home (DTH) sector so that it gets all the benefits and incentives available for infrastructure industry including the availability of finance at a concessional rate.

    Though the government claims more than 90 per cent seeding of set top boxes (STBs) in all urban areas covered under Phase III of digital addressable system (DAS) – a figure disputed by most private stakeholders, it is important that the budget should give some concessions that benefit the sector particularly as far as set top boxes go.

    While the Make in India or Digital India initiatives have failed to encourage many indigenous manufacturers of STBs, it is necessary not merely to give some tax concessions under these two schemes but also a tax holiday for some years for those who venture to beat the sale of Chinese STBs and encourage Indian STBs.

    Earlier, the Entertainment Wing of FICCI had said in a pre-budget memorandum to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that the sector should be allowed tax concessions under Section 80-IA of the Income Tax Act.

    As the digitisation process and the deployment of STBs are heavy capital oriented sectors needing large investments, FICCI had said they should be allowed to set off accumulated losses and unabsorbed depreciation allowances to be carried forward as per Section 72 A of the Act.

    One way of giving greater encouragement to indigenous STBs is to give the broadcast industry the same benefits that the manufacturing sector gets.

    FICCI had in fact also said that the rate of taxes, which range from 30 – 70 per cent, especially the entertainment tax imposed by the states, over and above the service tax are punitive in nature. It is important that the overall taxation level is brought down for the sector as a whole.

    State Entertainment tax legislations levy high taxes on the subscription earned by cable operators and DTH operators. The non-availability of credit of central taxes against the state taxes and vice versa increases the tax burden on the entertainment industry.

    In addition to this, the Central Government has levied service tax at 14 per cent on the transfer of copyrights, which is already being taxed as ‘goods’ under the various state VAT legislations.

    There is therefore need to rationalise taxes or rush through the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill to bring parity and clear snags in taxation.

    With so many cases pending before TDSAT and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) constantly being impleaded in such matters, the Government should provide a clarification that the payments made towards carriage fees are not in the nature of royalty or fees for technical services and TDS is required to be made on such payments as per section 194C of the Act.

    The Indian media and entertainment industry grew from Rs 918 billion in 2013 to Rs 1026 billion in 2014, registering an overall growth of 11.7 per cent. The industry is estimated to achieve a growth rate of 13 per cent in 2015 to touch Rs 1159 billion. The sector is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 13.9 per cent to reach Rs 1964 billion by 2019.

    The benefits of Phase I and II of DAS rollout, and continued Phase III rollout are expected to contribute significantly to strong continued growth in the TV sector revenues and its ability to invest in and monetise content. The sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.5 per cent over the period 2015-2019.

  • Encourage greater indigenous STB production with tax holiday in budget for DAS to succeed

    Encourage greater indigenous STB production with tax holiday in budget for DAS to succeed

    NEW DELHI: With the Government hoping to achieve complete digitisation of the cable television sector by the end of this calendar year, it is imperative that the Union Budget for 2016-17 being presented on Monday has important concessions for the industry.

    Perhaps the most important step would be to give infrastructure status to the Broadcast, Cable and direct-to-home (DTH) sector so that it gets all the benefits and incentives available for infrastructure industry including the availability of finance at a concessional rate.

    Though the government claims more than 90 per cent seeding of set top boxes (STBs) in all urban areas covered under Phase III of digital addressable system (DAS) – a figure disputed by most private stakeholders, it is important that the budget should give some concessions that benefit the sector particularly as far as set top boxes go.

    While the Make in India or Digital India initiatives have failed to encourage many indigenous manufacturers of STBs, it is necessary not merely to give some tax concessions under these two schemes but also a tax holiday for some years for those who venture to beat the sale of Chinese STBs and encourage Indian STBs.

    Earlier, the Entertainment Wing of FICCI had said in a pre-budget memorandum to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that the sector should be allowed tax concessions under Section 80-IA of the Income Tax Act.

    As the digitisation process and the deployment of STBs are heavy capital oriented sectors needing large investments, FICCI had said they should be allowed to set off accumulated losses and unabsorbed depreciation allowances to be carried forward as per Section 72 A of the Act.

    One way of giving greater encouragement to indigenous STBs is to give the broadcast industry the same benefits that the manufacturing sector gets.

    FICCI had in fact also said that the rate of taxes, which range from 30 – 70 per cent, especially the entertainment tax imposed by the states, over and above the service tax are punitive in nature. It is important that the overall taxation level is brought down for the sector as a whole.

    State Entertainment tax legislations levy high taxes on the subscription earned by cable operators and DTH operators. The non-availability of credit of central taxes against the state taxes and vice versa increases the tax burden on the entertainment industry.

    In addition to this, the Central Government has levied service tax at 14 per cent on the transfer of copyrights, which is already being taxed as ‘goods’ under the various state VAT legislations.

    There is therefore need to rationalise taxes or rush through the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill to bring parity and clear snags in taxation.

    With so many cases pending before TDSAT and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) constantly being impleaded in such matters, the Government should provide a clarification that the payments made towards carriage fees are not in the nature of royalty or fees for technical services and TDS is required to be made on such payments as per section 194C of the Act.

    The Indian media and entertainment industry grew from Rs 918 billion in 2013 to Rs 1026 billion in 2014, registering an overall growth of 11.7 per cent. The industry is estimated to achieve a growth rate of 13 per cent in 2015 to touch Rs 1159 billion. The sector is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 13.9 per cent to reach Rs 1964 billion by 2019.

    The benefits of Phase I and II of DAS rollout, and continued Phase III rollout are expected to contribute significantly to strong continued growth in the TV sector revenues and its ability to invest in and monetise content. The sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.5 per cent over the period 2015-2019.

  • News broadcasters’ expectations from the Union Budget 2016

    News broadcasters’ expectations from the Union Budget 2016

    MUMBAI: As another budget looms ahead of us, expectations are high riding especially amongst the Indian news broadcasters. The budget will be presented by the Finance Minister on 29 February, 2016 and almost every segment has a set of expectations. To get a better perspective of what news broadcasters’ aspirations are from this year’s allotment, Indiantelevision.com spoke to a few stalwarts from the industry.

    Times Network MD and CEO MK Anand says, “Digitisation in general and the rollout of Digital Addressable System (DAS) in the Phase III and IV markets will be perhaps the biggest game changer for Media & Entertainment. We’re looking at addressability and millions of undeclared TV households coming into the radar and huge corrections in the subscription ad revenues anomalies in India. Between Phases III and IV, we are talking around 110 million TV homes. So my biggest budget wish for the industry is that the operators in the distribution chain be empowered, financially, to be able to afford or access, and offer the mandated technically superior digital setups to take their analog TV homes digital. This will become easier if the government accords infrastructure status to the broadcast industry. The cable industry is expected to invest some Rs 40,000 – 45,000 crore on STBs. The government can really help accelerate and optimise the roll-out of DAS to a great extent with this one step.”

    As the press is often considered to be the fourth pillar of democracy in India, it is constantly observed that the fraternity has not been benefited much by the budget.

    Shedding some light on it, News Broadcasters Association honorary treasurer and News24 chairperson cum managing director Anurradha Prasad says, “First, according to me the government should include media industry in the infrastructure sector. Second, the fruits of digitisation should now come to media. It should positively come into news broadcasting. Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and it’s high time that it gets treated differently.”

    However Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar is of the opinion that their requirements are being met by the Ministry’s budget. “We don’t seek much from the national budget,” he adds.

    CNN-IBN managing editor Radhakrishnan Nair says, “There is an opportunity available as the global oil prices have come down majorly, so we are sitting on a lot of money. We have not reduced excise on the fuel prices for consumers. There is a lot of tax money that the government has got in. One major thing is that GST, which has not yet been implemented. The budget should look towards the tax structure in which we will make ourselves ready for GST whenever it comes. There could be a possible increase in the taxes or some excise adjustments for different commodities but this year’s budget will not be a great people’s budget or a populist budget. It will be a budget that will try to reserve money for the economy and the government. I do not expect too many freebies rather I am expecting many improvements in the agriculture sector as the sector is facing a lot of stress due to various reasons. I would also like a lot of things for the benefit of the start-ups as they are young and willing to start their own businesses. So I expect a lot of tax allowances or policy allowances in this year’s budget.”

    With the budget round the corner, we journalists are often worried about different ways to cover it with a unique peg to the story. Speaking as a true journalist, NDTV Group CEO Vikram Chandra scorns, “I am not expecting anything from the budget. I am more worried about how I will cover it.”

  • News broadcasters’ expectations from the Union Budget 2016

    News broadcasters’ expectations from the Union Budget 2016

    MUMBAI: As another budget looms ahead of us, expectations are high riding especially amongst the Indian news broadcasters. The budget will be presented by the Finance Minister on 29 February, 2016 and almost every segment has a set of expectations. To get a better perspective of what news broadcasters’ aspirations are from this year’s allotment, Indiantelevision.com spoke to a few stalwarts from the industry.

    Times Network MD and CEO MK Anand says, “Digitisation in general and the rollout of Digital Addressable System (DAS) in the Phase III and IV markets will be perhaps the biggest game changer for Media & Entertainment. We’re looking at addressability and millions of undeclared TV households coming into the radar and huge corrections in the subscription ad revenues anomalies in India. Between Phases III and IV, we are talking around 110 million TV homes. So my biggest budget wish for the industry is that the operators in the distribution chain be empowered, financially, to be able to afford or access, and offer the mandated technically superior digital setups to take their analog TV homes digital. This will become easier if the government accords infrastructure status to the broadcast industry. The cable industry is expected to invest some Rs 40,000 – 45,000 crore on STBs. The government can really help accelerate and optimise the roll-out of DAS to a great extent with this one step.”

    As the press is often considered to be the fourth pillar of democracy in India, it is constantly observed that the fraternity has not been benefited much by the budget.

    Shedding some light on it, News Broadcasters Association honorary treasurer and News24 chairperson cum managing director Anurradha Prasad says, “First, according to me the government should include media industry in the infrastructure sector. Second, the fruits of digitisation should now come to media. It should positively come into news broadcasting. Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and it’s high time that it gets treated differently.”

    However Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar is of the opinion that their requirements are being met by the Ministry’s budget. “We don’t seek much from the national budget,” he adds.

    CNN-IBN managing editor Radhakrishnan Nair says, “There is an opportunity available as the global oil prices have come down majorly, so we are sitting on a lot of money. We have not reduced excise on the fuel prices for consumers. There is a lot of tax money that the government has got in. One major thing is that GST, which has not yet been implemented. The budget should look towards the tax structure in which we will make ourselves ready for GST whenever it comes. There could be a possible increase in the taxes or some excise adjustments for different commodities but this year’s budget will not be a great people’s budget or a populist budget. It will be a budget that will try to reserve money for the economy and the government. I do not expect too many freebies rather I am expecting many improvements in the agriculture sector as the sector is facing a lot of stress due to various reasons. I would also like a lot of things for the benefit of the start-ups as they are young and willing to start their own businesses. So I expect a lot of tax allowances or policy allowances in this year’s budget.”

    With the budget round the corner, we journalists are often worried about different ways to cover it with a unique peg to the story. Speaking as a true journalist, NDTV Group CEO Vikram Chandra scorns, “I am not expecting anything from the budget. I am more worried about how I will cover it.”

  • MIB claims 90.44% DAS success; MSOs tell Task Force no shortage of STBs

    MIB claims 90.44% DAS success; MSOs tell Task Force no shortage of STBs

    NEW DELHI: The first meeting of the Task Force held after implementation of Phase III of Digital Addressable System (DAS) covering all urban areas was informed that the percentage achievement had increased from 76.45 per cent as on 30 December.2015 to 90.44 per cent as on 15 February. 2016.

    It was also claimed that the seeding of set top boxes (STBs) by multi system operators (MSOs) increased from 6.91 mIIIion to 12.43 mIIIion for the same period.

    An Indian Conditional Access System (iCAS) developed by Department of Electronics and Information Technology wIII be initially available to indigenous STB manufacturers for three years at a nominal fee of $0.5 per STB. Twelve MSOs are reported to have deployed it in their headends.

    Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) had been asked by the Department of Telecom to provide required connectivity links to MSOs for taking TV signals in Phase III and Phase IV areas. This follows complaints in the last meeting held at the end of December by MSOs about the problems of connectivity links in some Phase III areas.

    Addressing the 14th meeting of the Task Force on implementation of Phases III & IV of DAS in cable TV networks on 16 February, Information and Broadcasting Ministry Special Secretary J S Mathur claimed that the progress achieved was very good in spite of several court cases filed in various courts for extension of the cut-off date.

    Mathur remarked that from the stay granted in some court cases it should not be construed that the digitisation would be put on hold. He emphasised that digitisation is a reality now and cannot be stopped. He said broadcasters and MSOs should spread this message. He said according to a report, the number of MSO dark areas have decreased considerably. He said there was need to find out whether the MSOs who have been granted registration recently have placed orders for STBs.

    Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya in an overview of progress of DAS Phase III & IV said a total of 19 cases had been filed in various courts in the country for extension of cut-off date for Phase III. The Ministry was contesting all cases for immediate vacation of stay granted in these cases. The Ministry had filed a petition in the Supreme Court for transfer of these cases for immediate hearing in the Apex court.

    She said 695 MSOs had been granted DAS registration and 164 applications were under process while 240 applications have been received with incomplete information.

    She said the Regional Units (RUs) set up for implementing digitisation in Phases III & IV were fully functional. All RUs are in regular correspondence with MSOs in their regions.

    She claimed that about 300 to 500 calls were received daily on the toll free help line for cable TV digitisation for Phases III & IV.

    Jaya also said that 340 MSOs headends for Phase III & IV have been inspected by Prasar Bharati so far and 109 MSOs head ends of these have been reported to be non-operational.

    The Ministry had requested State Governments to furnish a list of Phase IV areas in their states. Except from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir (which has furnished list of one division only), lists are awaited from other States.

    A representative of J&K Government said some areas in Phase III in the State have still not been covered due to non-availability of STBs with MSOs. It was not known whether and when these MSOs have placed orders for STBs.

    A representative of the Telengana Government said only 30 to 35 per cent Phase III areas had been covered in the State so far and MSOs may require some time to complete their targets.

    Several representatives of MSOs claimed they had sufficient boxes but referred to other problems. The Hathway representative said local cable operators were resisting taking STBs from them for installation due to extension granted by various courts. Another representative of an MSO, the Indusind Media, said in view of the extension granted by courts and analogue transmission still running in some Phase III areas, the broadcasters should charge them on analogue rates according to earlier agreements. The Siticable representative also claimed the problem of stocking the boxes. He added that the MSO had about one million STBs in stock. He remarked that MSOs were required to plan the procurement of STBs in advance which the newly registered MSOs appear to have not done. A representative of GTPL Hathway said some orders of STBs were in transit but it had sufficient stocks.

    An Andhra Pradesh Government representative said there had been no complaint of non-availability of STBs in the State. But the representative of Uttarakhand said there have been reports of STB non-¬availability in some areas. He added that they are holding district level meetings to implement digitisation in the State.

    During discussions it emerged that some MSOs who have not even applied for registration had filed cases for extension in courts. Cases had also been filed by some MSOs who are not technically ready.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) representative said in one court case, local cable operators had been directed by the court to send requests for STBs to MSOs. He suggested that State Governments should seek data from MSOs regarding availability of STBs. He informed that TRAI has recently written to the Chief Secretaries of State / Governments on the benefits accruable from digitisation to State Governments.

    A representative of LCOs from Maharashtra said some DAS Phase IV areas, which had been getting feed from control room in Phase III areas were switched off by MSOs. He added that digitisation is not looking at the consumer and whether he can afford to buy a set top box – particularly in Phase IV areas. 

    Mathur said the entire digitisation is in the interest of consumers and it has to take place as per the timelines. He advised that the stakeholders should encourage people to go for digital.

    A point was made that MSOs should be given freedom to fix the rates of STBs. A representative of TRAI mentioned that TRAI has not fixed any price for STBs and emphasised that the conditions given in tariff orders issued by TRAI on supply and installation of STBs by MSOs to consumers have to be complied and there can be no compromise on the rights of the consumers.

    A representative of CEAMA claimed that the number of companies manufacturing STBs had doubled in last one year; STB production has increased 100  per cent in last one year; one Chinese company is likely to start manufacturing STBs in India; and STB orders are being received from small MSOs. MSOs should place orders in time keeping into view that about two months time is required for integration of CAS in STBs. CEAMA is a member of iCAS.

    Jaya said CEAMA should reach out to MSOs to inform them about iCAS and STBs manufactured by them. The CEAMA representative said it would very soon have a meeting on iCAS in which it will also invite DeitY, iCAS developer and MSOs. Mathur said indigenous manufacturing of STBs should be a priority keeping in view the Make in India programme of the Government.

    The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) representative, who referred to its appeal in the Supreme Court, said broadcasters are running scrolls on channels that Ministry has not extended deadline for phase III.

    Mathur said the Ministry has requested State Governments to furnish list of Phase IV areas in the State so that progress of digitisation in these areas is monitored. It was mentioned that the information is available with State Governments at various levels viz. hamlets, panchayats and blocks. It was decided that the information at block level would suffice.

    Jaya impressed on stakeholders to start publicity campaigns for Phase IV areas to gain the momentum of digitisation in these areas. It was also noted that though Phase IV covers the entire country, a list of areas was required for knowing the progress of seeding as well as MSO dark areas.

    Mathur asked MSOs and broadcasters to commence work without waiting for the cut-off date for Phase IV. He said those who are yet to apply for MSO registration should apply now keeping into view that about four months are required for processing of applications. He asked the members to inform the MSOs to apply for DAS registration immediately. He added that an advertisement in newspapers is also being issued for registration of MSOs for phase IV areas. In addition, MSOs must also prepare themselves on the STB front. He also stressed upon the issue of MSOs continuing with their seeding activity as the Ministry has already moved the courts; for transfer of all petitions in State High Courts, for vacation of stays granted. It was imperative that the remaining areas of phase III be covered early.

  • MIB claims 90.44% DAS success; MSOs tell Task Force no shortage of STBs

    MIB claims 90.44% DAS success; MSOs tell Task Force no shortage of STBs

    NEW DELHI: The first meeting of the Task Force held after implementation of Phase III of Digital Addressable System (DAS) covering all urban areas was informed that the percentage achievement had increased from 76.45 per cent as on 30 December.2015 to 90.44 per cent as on 15 February. 2016.

    It was also claimed that the seeding of set top boxes (STBs) by multi system operators (MSOs) increased from 6.91 mIIIion to 12.43 mIIIion for the same period.

    An Indian Conditional Access System (iCAS) developed by Department of Electronics and Information Technology wIII be initially available to indigenous STB manufacturers for three years at a nominal fee of $0.5 per STB. Twelve MSOs are reported to have deployed it in their headends.

    Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) had been asked by the Department of Telecom to provide required connectivity links to MSOs for taking TV signals in Phase III and Phase IV areas. This follows complaints in the last meeting held at the end of December by MSOs about the problems of connectivity links in some Phase III areas.

    Addressing the 14th meeting of the Task Force on implementation of Phases III & IV of DAS in cable TV networks on 16 February, Information and Broadcasting Ministry Special Secretary J S Mathur claimed that the progress achieved was very good in spite of several court cases filed in various courts for extension of the cut-off date.

    Mathur remarked that from the stay granted in some court cases it should not be construed that the digitisation would be put on hold. He emphasised that digitisation is a reality now and cannot be stopped. He said broadcasters and MSOs should spread this message. He said according to a report, the number of MSO dark areas have decreased considerably. He said there was need to find out whether the MSOs who have been granted registration recently have placed orders for STBs.

    Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya in an overview of progress of DAS Phase III & IV said a total of 19 cases had been filed in various courts in the country for extension of cut-off date for Phase III. The Ministry was contesting all cases for immediate vacation of stay granted in these cases. The Ministry had filed a petition in the Supreme Court for transfer of these cases for immediate hearing in the Apex court.

    She said 695 MSOs had been granted DAS registration and 164 applications were under process while 240 applications have been received with incomplete information.

    She said the Regional Units (RUs) set up for implementing digitisation in Phases III & IV were fully functional. All RUs are in regular correspondence with MSOs in their regions.

    She claimed that about 300 to 500 calls were received daily on the toll free help line for cable TV digitisation for Phases III & IV.

    Jaya also said that 340 MSOs headends for Phase III & IV have been inspected by Prasar Bharati so far and 109 MSOs head ends of these have been reported to be non-operational.

    The Ministry had requested State Governments to furnish a list of Phase IV areas in their states. Except from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir (which has furnished list of one division only), lists are awaited from other States.

    A representative of J&K Government said some areas in Phase III in the State have still not been covered due to non-availability of STBs with MSOs. It was not known whether and when these MSOs have placed orders for STBs.

    A representative of the Telengana Government said only 30 to 35 per cent Phase III areas had been covered in the State so far and MSOs may require some time to complete their targets.

    Several representatives of MSOs claimed they had sufficient boxes but referred to other problems. The Hathway representative said local cable operators were resisting taking STBs from them for installation due to extension granted by various courts. Another representative of an MSO, the Indusind Media, said in view of the extension granted by courts and analogue transmission still running in some Phase III areas, the broadcasters should charge them on analogue rates according to earlier agreements. The Siticable representative also claimed the problem of stocking the boxes. He added that the MSO had about one million STBs in stock. He remarked that MSOs were required to plan the procurement of STBs in advance which the newly registered MSOs appear to have not done. A representative of GTPL Hathway said some orders of STBs were in transit but it had sufficient stocks.

    An Andhra Pradesh Government representative said there had been no complaint of non-availability of STBs in the State. But the representative of Uttarakhand said there have been reports of STB non-¬availability in some areas. He added that they are holding district level meetings to implement digitisation in the State.

    During discussions it emerged that some MSOs who have not even applied for registration had filed cases for extension in courts. Cases had also been filed by some MSOs who are not technically ready.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) representative said in one court case, local cable operators had been directed by the court to send requests for STBs to MSOs. He suggested that State Governments should seek data from MSOs regarding availability of STBs. He informed that TRAI has recently written to the Chief Secretaries of State / Governments on the benefits accruable from digitisation to State Governments.

    A representative of LCOs from Maharashtra said some DAS Phase IV areas, which had been getting feed from control room in Phase III areas were switched off by MSOs. He added that digitisation is not looking at the consumer and whether he can afford to buy a set top box – particularly in Phase IV areas. 

    Mathur said the entire digitisation is in the interest of consumers and it has to take place as per the timelines. He advised that the stakeholders should encourage people to go for digital.

    A point was made that MSOs should be given freedom to fix the rates of STBs. A representative of TRAI mentioned that TRAI has not fixed any price for STBs and emphasised that the conditions given in tariff orders issued by TRAI on supply and installation of STBs by MSOs to consumers have to be complied and there can be no compromise on the rights of the consumers.

    A representative of CEAMA claimed that the number of companies manufacturing STBs had doubled in last one year; STB production has increased 100  per cent in last one year; one Chinese company is likely to start manufacturing STBs in India; and STB orders are being received from small MSOs. MSOs should place orders in time keeping into view that about two months time is required for integration of CAS in STBs. CEAMA is a member of iCAS.

    Jaya said CEAMA should reach out to MSOs to inform them about iCAS and STBs manufactured by them. The CEAMA representative said it would very soon have a meeting on iCAS in which it will also invite DeitY, iCAS developer and MSOs. Mathur said indigenous manufacturing of STBs should be a priority keeping in view the Make in India programme of the Government.

    The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) representative, who referred to its appeal in the Supreme Court, said broadcasters are running scrolls on channels that Ministry has not extended deadline for phase III.

    Mathur said the Ministry has requested State Governments to furnish list of Phase IV areas in the State so that progress of digitisation in these areas is monitored. It was mentioned that the information is available with State Governments at various levels viz. hamlets, panchayats and blocks. It was decided that the information at block level would suffice.

    Jaya impressed on stakeholders to start publicity campaigns for Phase IV areas to gain the momentum of digitisation in these areas. It was also noted that though Phase IV covers the entire country, a list of areas was required for knowing the progress of seeding as well as MSO dark areas.

    Mathur asked MSOs and broadcasters to commence work without waiting for the cut-off date for Phase IV. He said those who are yet to apply for MSO registration should apply now keeping into view that about four months are required for processing of applications. He asked the members to inform the MSOs to apply for DAS registration immediately. He added that an advertisement in newspapers is also being issued for registration of MSOs for phase IV areas. In addition, MSOs must also prepare themselves on the STB front. He also stressed upon the issue of MSOs continuing with their seeding activity as the Ministry has already moved the courts; for transfer of all petitions in State High Courts, for vacation of stays granted. It was imperative that the remaining areas of phase III be covered early.