ITV

Tag: Star Broadband Services

  • MSO number touches 900 including 671 provisional

    MSO number touches 900 including 671 provisional

    NEW DELHI: Even as the total number of multi-system operators has risen to 900 including 671 getting provisional licences, the government has cancelled the permanent licence of one more MSO and the number of permanent licencees (up to ten years) has fallen by one to 229 as on 2 June. Thus, the number of MSOs has risen by 60 since 29 April when it was 840.

    The permanent licence issued to Kable First Davangere Pvt. Ltd. in December last has been canceled as it has surrendered its licence to the Information and Broadcasting ministry.

    In mid-May, Star Broadband Services (India) Pvt. Ltd, which earlier had a permanent licence for distributing signals in Delhi, had been shifted to the provisional category when it applied for pan India distribution. Tanuku Communication Networks of Andhra Pradesh was also moved from permanent to provisional category.

    In the case of God father Communication Pvt. Ltd. of Amritsar, the cancellation of its licence was stayed in July 2014 by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Similarly, the cancellation of Intermedia Cable Communication Pvt. Ltd. had been stayed by Delhi High Court in December 2013.

    The Information and Broadcasting ministry had cancelled the licences of 27 MSOs and closed their cases by 2 June. In most of the other cases in the list of cancelled registrations, it is because of failure to get security clearance from the Home ministry. However, there are cases of many MSOs holding provisional licences not completing certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

    According to the latest list, the area of operation of one MSO has been revised after 24 May. In the week following that, only one MSO, Altimeric Digital Pvt Ltd of Odsisha, has been given pan-India licences. The new registrations include the states of, or specific districts in, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhatisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.

    With the Home ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August 2014, but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending.

  • MSO number touches 900 including 671 provisional

    MSO number touches 900 including 671 provisional

    NEW DELHI: Even as the total number of multi-system operators has risen to 900 including 671 getting provisional licences, the government has cancelled the permanent licence of one more MSO and the number of permanent licencees (up to ten years) has fallen by one to 229 as on 2 June. Thus, the number of MSOs has risen by 60 since 29 April when it was 840.

    The permanent licence issued to Kable First Davangere Pvt. Ltd. in December last has been canceled as it has surrendered its licence to the Information and Broadcasting ministry.

    In mid-May, Star Broadband Services (India) Pvt. Ltd, which earlier had a permanent licence for distributing signals in Delhi, had been shifted to the provisional category when it applied for pan India distribution. Tanuku Communication Networks of Andhra Pradesh was also moved from permanent to provisional category.

    In the case of God father Communication Pvt. Ltd. of Amritsar, the cancellation of its licence was stayed in July 2014 by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Similarly, the cancellation of Intermedia Cable Communication Pvt. Ltd. had been stayed by Delhi High Court in December 2013.

    The Information and Broadcasting ministry had cancelled the licences of 27 MSOs and closed their cases by 2 June. In most of the other cases in the list of cancelled registrations, it is because of failure to get security clearance from the Home ministry. However, there are cases of many MSOs holding provisional licences not completing certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

    According to the latest list, the area of operation of one MSO has been revised after 24 May. In the week following that, only one MSO, Altimeric Digital Pvt Ltd of Odsisha, has been given pan-India licences. The new registrations include the states of, or specific districts in, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhatisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.

    With the Home ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August 2014, but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending.

  • DAS: No. of MSOs rises to 877, one permanent licensee made provisional

    DAS: No. of MSOs rises to 877, one permanent licensee made provisional

    NEW DELHI: Even as the total number of multi-system operators has risen to 877 including 647 getting provisional licences as the country approaches the deadline for the final phase of the digital addressable system, the number of permanent licensees (up to ten years) has fallen by one to 230.

    Star Broadband Services (India) Pvt Ltd, which earlier had a permanent licence for distributing signals in Delhi, has now been given a provisional licence on its application for pan India distribution. Thus, the number of MSOs has risen by 37 since the last list of 29 April had put the number at 840.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had cancelled the licences of 26 MSOs and closed their cases by 12 January. Ministry sources told indiantelevision.com that the latest reduction in the permanent list could not be deemed as a cancellation since the MSO had come on the provisional list.

    According to the latest list, the area of operation of two MSOs has been revised after 29 April. Unlike the last list, two MSOs – Whitefield Communication and Star Broadband Services – have been given pan-India licences. The new registrations include the states of, or specific districts in, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Punjab, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

    In an indication of the emphasis on reaching signals in border areas, three MSOs in Jammu and Kashmir and one in Tripura have also received provisional licences since the last list.

    With the Home ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August 2014, but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending.

    Sources said that denial of security clearance was not the only reason for provisional licences and said many MSOs holding provisional licences had not completed certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

    Hathway CCN Entertainment (India) Pvt. Ltd which is a joint venture with Hathway and Siti Cable is among the new recipients, for Chhatisgarh. Hathway CCN recently set up a digital headend to offer a wide array of digital services and channels. The MSO is offering 48 HD channels for its digital cable TV subscribers in the state. Siti’s newly acquired company Bargachh Digital Communication, in which it has 51 percent stake, has also received registration for six districts of Andhra Pradesh.

  • DAS: No. of MSOs rises to 877, one permanent licensee made provisional

    DAS: No. of MSOs rises to 877, one permanent licensee made provisional

    NEW DELHI: Even as the total number of multi-system operators has risen to 877 including 647 getting provisional licences as the country approaches the deadline for the final phase of the digital addressable system, the number of permanent licensees (up to ten years) has fallen by one to 230.

    Star Broadband Services (India) Pvt Ltd, which earlier had a permanent licence for distributing signals in Delhi, has now been given a provisional licence on its application for pan India distribution. Thus, the number of MSOs has risen by 37 since the last list of 29 April had put the number at 840.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had cancelled the licences of 26 MSOs and closed their cases by 12 January. Ministry sources told indiantelevision.com that the latest reduction in the permanent list could not be deemed as a cancellation since the MSO had come on the provisional list.

    According to the latest list, the area of operation of two MSOs has been revised after 29 April. Unlike the last list, two MSOs – Whitefield Communication and Star Broadband Services – have been given pan-India licences. The new registrations include the states of, or specific districts in, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Punjab, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

    In an indication of the emphasis on reaching signals in border areas, three MSOs in Jammu and Kashmir and one in Tripura have also received provisional licences since the last list.

    With the Home ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August 2014, but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending.

    Sources said that denial of security clearance was not the only reason for provisional licences and said many MSOs holding provisional licences had not completed certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

    Hathway CCN Entertainment (India) Pvt. Ltd which is a joint venture with Hathway and Siti Cable is among the new recipients, for Chhatisgarh. Hathway CCN recently set up a digital headend to offer a wide array of digital services and channels. The MSO is offering 48 HD channels for its digital cable TV subscribers in the state. Siti’s newly acquired company Bargachh Digital Communication, in which it has 51 percent stake, has also received registration for six districts of Andhra Pradesh.

  • ‘Trai has kept entry barrier low to make Cas acceptable’ : Nripendra Misra – Trai chairman

    ‘Trai has kept entry barrier low to make Cas acceptable’ : Nripendra Misra – Trai chairman

    The cable TV industry is on the cusp of change. The multi-system operators (MSOs) have chalked out plans to roll out digital cable, a transition that they believe will make their business models viable and add value to their networks.

     

    Perturbed by the cap on a la carte pricing of their channels at Rs 5, the broadcasters, on the other hand, have taken shelter in legal cases.

     

    Crucial to making Cas (conditional access system) a reality has been the role played by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). It has not only come out with a consumer-friendly tariff order but also made sure that progress is made by the MSOs on the implementation front.

     

    In this interview with Indiantelevision.com‘s Sibabrata Das, Trai chairman Nripendra Misra reiterates that digitalisation is the way forward. Cas will be implemented and even regulating direct-to-home (DTH) in areas of quality of service is on Trai‘s radar.

     

    Excerpts:

    How ready are the multi-system operators (MSOs) to implement Cas in the notified areas of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata?

    The progress is satisfactory and let there be no doubt in the minds of stakeholders that Cas is going to be implemented on the due date. There is no element of uncertainty. We already have reports of 10 MSOs (as of 16 December) having conducted the trial runs for testing out their digital systems under Cas. We want to be sure that there are no glitches in implementation of Cas and that the transition is smooth.

    In Delhi, Spectranet, Satellite Channels, Sanjay Cable Network and Star Broadband Services have been issued letters by the information and broadcasting ministry that they are not in a position to switchover to addressable system by 31 December as they are not ready with the digital systems including headend, Cas and set-top boxes (STBs). What is the action Trai has taken?

    There are four networks who we found are not in a position to roll out their service. We have asked the other MSOs (Hathway Cable & Datacom, Incablenet, Wire & Wireless India Ltd. and Home Cable Network) to step in so that consumers falling under the Cas belt of Delhi do not suffer blackout of their cable TV service. We are constantly monitoring the progress made by the MSOs.

    How many MSOs have applied for licence and got approval to operate in the Cas areas?

    There were 21 MSOs and five more applied later. Our focus is on 21. Out of this, as I told earlier, 10 (as of 16 December) have started trials.

    Estimates are that there are around 1.2 million cable & satellite homes in the Cas areas. Have the MSOs brought in adequate number of STBs?

    There are already a total of over 300000 boxes available with the MSOs. It is tough to estimate the exact number of C&S households in the Cas region. The whole cable TV industry is marked by high levels of under-reporting of subscribers. But supply shouldn‘t be a problem as the MSOs say that they can quickly import the STBs in case of demand. Their argument is that they shouldn‘t be stuck up with investments if Cas, for any reason, doesn‘t pick up. We expect 40 per cent of analogue subscribers converting into digital. That apparently is in line with the global trend. Digitisation is a way forward and consumers falling under the Cas notified areas should start ordering for STBs from now so that there is no crowding towards the end.

    What gives you the confidence that Cas will take off this time?

    Unlike in 2003, we now have a broadcast and cable regulator in Trai. We have kept the entry barrier as low as possible so that Cas can get accepted by everybody. Consumers also can select individual channels and we have fixed a price cap on a la carte channels at Rs 5. The tariff order also means that STBs are available on rental schemes with a fixed deposit amount (Rs 30 per month on a deposit of Rs 999 and Rs 45 for a deposit of Rs 250). Besides, this time there is competition from direct-to-home (DTH) with DD Direct, Dish TV and Tata Sky already offering their services. In fact, we have found medium-sized MSOs in some non Cas areas investing around Rs 15 million on diogital headends so that they can compete against DTH.

    The average monthly bill for digital cable TV subscribers will not see a sigificant drop as they will be loaded with an entertainment tax of Rs 45 (other areas different), Rs 45 as rent on the STB (if they pay a deposit of Rs 250) and a service tax. Add to this a payout of Rs 77 on free-to-air (FTA) channels and there is a slim chance of lowering down the bills. Would you agree?

    We shouldn‘t be talking of a system where we do not pay taxes. The taxes are applicable even under the current system. That is no way to calculate the cable TV subscription rates. Consumers can now pay as little as Rs 5 for the channel they want to see and limit their bills.
    ‘Regulating DTH in the quality of service area is certainly on our radar‘

    Will the rental schemes attract value added tax (VAT)?

    Yes. In any case, taxation is not a subject which falls within the purview of Trai.

    Consumers complain that costs will go up as they have to pay for the second TV set as well?

    We have decided not to regulate on the concessional rates for the second or more TV sets. Market forces should take care of that – as has been happening now. In any case, a large percentage are single TV households. We shouldn‘t regulate wherever we can, but only in areas where there is need.

    How long will this price of Rs 5 and a minimum subscription commitment of four months for any channel last?

    We are open to taking a relook at this. As we determined on a price as low as Rs 5, we also decided to balance it by asking consumers to subscribe a channel for at least a period of four months. After six months, we intend to first assess whether a review on the pricing and other related issues is necessary at all or not.

    Are you looking at coming out with some kind of regulations for non Cas territories?

    We are considering if we should step in and regulate the non cas areas so far as quality of service is concerned.

    Will Trai try to encourage various modes of digitalisation?

    We have a forward-looking approach. We generally feel digitisation is the road ahead. Besides mandated Cas, we are looking at voluntary spread of digitisation across all technologies. We will be having a serious of discussions from January-June. The first round table kicks off on 27 January. There are various alternatives – DTH, Cas, IPTV. We will be having a series of regional meetings where we want to discuss and review all these things. Then we will send our recommendations to the government.

    Is Trai going to regulate DTH as well?

    Perhaps, we need to look at regulating DTH in the quality of service area. It is certainly on our radar. As the DTH base grows, subscribers need to be protected. But DTH is at an infant stage and it may be too early to regulate it like cable. Let us not forget that cable TV has grown in India so far as an unorganised industry.

    As the DTH base grows, subscribers need to be protected. But DTH is at an infant stage and it may be too early to regulate it like cable. Let us not forget that cable TV has grown in India so far as an unorganised industry.