ITV

Tag: STBs

  • What really happened at the 16th DAS Task Force meeting

    What really happened at the 16th DAS Task Force meeting

    NEW DELHI: Even as the government has once again reiterated that it is firm on Phase IV of digital addressable systems for cable television to commence on 31 December this year, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (MIB) has for the first time admitted that the Law Ministry had observed that the order passed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court staying Phase III “appears to have all lndia applicability”.

    (The Ministry had sought this opinion in view of the Mumbai high court making a reference to the Kusum Ingots case which had said that if one high court gives an order, others can give similar orders if similar circumstances exist. indiantelevision.com had reported in January this year that the MIB had told the Punjab and Haryana high court that it had ‘decided not to press the requirement of having a STB as for now till the decision of the cases which are pending before various other high courts’).

    The MIB affirmed this at the 16th DAS IV Task Force meeting held on 26 July in Delhi. MIB secretary Ajay Mittal who presided over the meeting said digitisation is a process which cannot be stopped. He said that Ministry has been proactive in the matter of dealing with all the court cases filed by some MSOs for extension of cut-off date for phase lll. He suggested that the stakeholders should supplement the efforts made by Ministry to dispose off these cases.

    He cautioned that MSOs and LCOs should desist from transmitting or re-transmitting un-authorized TV channels which are not permitted by the Ministry. He informed that Ministry has written to all the district collectors/magistrates in this regard to take action under the law against those who are violating the law.

    Advisor DAS Yogendra Pal told the Task Force Meeting for DAS that there were no cases in twenty states but the MIB was not in a position to issue orders in view of the advice given by the law ministry.

    However, he said following the decision to transfer all DAS cases to the Delhi high court following a petition in the Supreme Court by the MIB, 29 cases have so far been transferred by various courts to Delhi and 18 cases are still left to be transferred.

    He said 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 off by respective courts and 3 cases had been withdrawn by the petitioners. Two months extension in the deadline was granted by the Andhra Pradesh high court. Both Mumbai high court and the Aurangabad Branch of that court had passed orders to the effect that the order passed by the Telengana bench of the high court of Andhra Pradesh had all India applicability in view of the Supreme Court judgment in Kusum Ingots case.

    Two cases are scheduled for hearing by the Delhi High Court on 13 September 2016. He added that the MIB as approached the Solicitor General to defend the cases and for an early hearing of the cases in Delhi high court. He added that a special leave petition (SLP) is also being drafted against the order of Aurangabad Branch of Mumbai high court.

    The Ministry had recently conducted one workshop with state level nodal officers in Delhi and three regional workshops with state and district level Nodal Officers at Dehradun, Shimla and lmphal.

    The Joint Secretary said that there were a reported 6000 MSOs in the country but only 965 MSO had got registrations so far and about 200 applications are under process in the Ministry.

    She requested the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, the News Broadcasters Association, and the ARTBI to tell their member broadcasters to check with all MSOs with whom they have interconnect agreements whether they were registered and if they have not applied for it so far, advise them to do so immediately. She said that broadcasters should be having the details of all MSOs operating in phase lV areas in their data base which can be crosschecked with the list of registered MSOs on MIB website to identify the MSOs who have not applied for registration so far. She asked the representatives of broadcasters to send a list of these MSOs operating in phase lV areas but who have not applied for MSO registration to Ministry by 7 August 2016. She added that as a next step the broadcasters should communicate with these MSOs and ask them to apply for MSO registration if they want to continue to operate as MSOs in DAS notified areas.

    A representative of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India emphasized that broadcasters should start entering into interconnect agreements with MSOs and likewise MSOs should enter into interconnect agreements with LCOs for phase lV areas. He said that broadcasters should collect STB requirements from local cable operators in phase lV areas.

    The representative of IMCL said broadcasters have offered separate digital and analogue rates in phase lV market and suggested that TRAI may issue an advisory/directive that there should be only analogue rate till 31 December 2016.

    TRAI said no such advisory which is outside the regulations can be issued. He said put of 900 TV channels, about 600 channels are free to air (FTA) channels and operate through about 2000 LCOs from their head ends. He suggested that in their case the State Governments can asks these LCOs to apply for MSO registration.

    Joint secretary Jaya said MSOs had sought an extension from the courts on the plea that broadcasters had not signed interconnect agreement with them. She said agreements between broadcasters important for further signing of agreements between MSOs and LCOs. She said that broadcasters, MSOs and LCOs should prioritize this issue everywhere and make concerted efforts to seal the agreements for phase lV areas by August 2016.

    TRAI said all MSOs who have any issue with broadcasters with regard to signing of interconnect agreements should write to the TRAI. He added that TRAI would review the situation in this regard from time to time.

    A representative of a cable operator association from Maharashtra (MocF) mentioned that about 200 LCos have signed interconnect agreements with Hathway in Maharashtra. He suggested that other large MSOs like IMCL & Siticable may also enter into agreements with LCos there on the basis of model inter-connect agreement.

    He complained that the post offices in Maharashtra were asking for no objection certificates from the offices of the district magistrate for renewal of registration to LCOs. He was told that with regard to this issue, which was raised in the last meeting also, proper reference with details should be sent to MIB He also wanted to know whether an MSO registered with MIB and operating as an LCO also is required to obtain the LCO registration from local the post office.

    A representative of CEAMA mentioned that orders for STBs had peaked in October 2015. Thereafter, except for supply orders from DTH operators and some small MSOs, no major orders have been received by them. He suggested that the MSOs planning for procurement for phase lV should place the orders now for timely delivery of STBs. He re-confirmed that they have the capacity to meet the complete requirements of phase lV.

    Representatives of state nodal officers from the Himachal Pradesh, Telengana, UP, Uttarakhand, MP, Karnataka, Bihar and J & K briefed about the various measures undertaken by them to implement the last phase of digitisation in their states. Most of them confirmed that monitoring committees have been set up and they are holding regular meetings to monitor the progress.

  • What really happened at the 16th DAS Task Force meeting

    What really happened at the 16th DAS Task Force meeting

    NEW DELHI: Even as the government has once again reiterated that it is firm on Phase IV of digital addressable systems for cable television to commence on 31 December this year, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (MIB) has for the first time admitted that the Law Ministry had observed that the order passed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court staying Phase III “appears to have all lndia applicability”.

    (The Ministry had sought this opinion in view of the Mumbai high court making a reference to the Kusum Ingots case which had said that if one high court gives an order, others can give similar orders if similar circumstances exist. indiantelevision.com had reported in January this year that the MIB had told the Punjab and Haryana high court that it had ‘decided not to press the requirement of having a STB as for now till the decision of the cases which are pending before various other high courts’).

    The MIB affirmed this at the 16th DAS IV Task Force meeting held on 26 July in Delhi. MIB secretary Ajay Mittal who presided over the meeting said digitisation is a process which cannot be stopped. He said that Ministry has been proactive in the matter of dealing with all the court cases filed by some MSOs for extension of cut-off date for phase lll. He suggested that the stakeholders should supplement the efforts made by Ministry to dispose off these cases.

    He cautioned that MSOs and LCOs should desist from transmitting or re-transmitting un-authorized TV channels which are not permitted by the Ministry. He informed that Ministry has written to all the district collectors/magistrates in this regard to take action under the law against those who are violating the law.

    Advisor DAS Yogendra Pal told the Task Force Meeting for DAS that there were no cases in twenty states but the MIB was not in a position to issue orders in view of the advice given by the law ministry.

    However, he said following the decision to transfer all DAS cases to the Delhi high court following a petition in the Supreme Court by the MIB, 29 cases have so far been transferred by various courts to Delhi and 18 cases are still left to be transferred.

    He said 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 off by respective courts and 3 cases had been withdrawn by the petitioners. Two months extension in the deadline was granted by the Andhra Pradesh high court. Both Mumbai high court and the Aurangabad Branch of that court had passed orders to the effect that the order passed by the Telengana bench of the high court of Andhra Pradesh had all India applicability in view of the Supreme Court judgment in Kusum Ingots case.

    Two cases are scheduled for hearing by the Delhi High Court on 13 September 2016. He added that the MIB as approached the Solicitor General to defend the cases and for an early hearing of the cases in Delhi high court. He added that a special leave petition (SLP) is also being drafted against the order of Aurangabad Branch of Mumbai high court.

    The Ministry had recently conducted one workshop with state level nodal officers in Delhi and three regional workshops with state and district level Nodal Officers at Dehradun, Shimla and lmphal.

    The Joint Secretary said that there were a reported 6000 MSOs in the country but only 965 MSO had got registrations so far and about 200 applications are under process in the Ministry.

    She requested the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, the News Broadcasters Association, and the ARTBI to tell their member broadcasters to check with all MSOs with whom they have interconnect agreements whether they were registered and if they have not applied for it so far, advise them to do so immediately. She said that broadcasters should be having the details of all MSOs operating in phase lV areas in their data base which can be crosschecked with the list of registered MSOs on MIB website to identify the MSOs who have not applied for registration so far. She asked the representatives of broadcasters to send a list of these MSOs operating in phase lV areas but who have not applied for MSO registration to Ministry by 7 August 2016. She added that as a next step the broadcasters should communicate with these MSOs and ask them to apply for MSO registration if they want to continue to operate as MSOs in DAS notified areas.

    A representative of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India emphasized that broadcasters should start entering into interconnect agreements with MSOs and likewise MSOs should enter into interconnect agreements with LCOs for phase lV areas. He said that broadcasters should collect STB requirements from local cable operators in phase lV areas.

    The representative of IMCL said broadcasters have offered separate digital and analogue rates in phase lV market and suggested that TRAI may issue an advisory/directive that there should be only analogue rate till 31 December 2016.

    TRAI said no such advisory which is outside the regulations can be issued. He said put of 900 TV channels, about 600 channels are free to air (FTA) channels and operate through about 2000 LCOs from their head ends. He suggested that in their case the State Governments can asks these LCOs to apply for MSO registration.

    Joint secretary Jaya said MSOs had sought an extension from the courts on the plea that broadcasters had not signed interconnect agreement with them. She said agreements between broadcasters important for further signing of agreements between MSOs and LCOs. She said that broadcasters, MSOs and LCOs should prioritize this issue everywhere and make concerted efforts to seal the agreements for phase lV areas by August 2016.

    TRAI said all MSOs who have any issue with broadcasters with regard to signing of interconnect agreements should write to the TRAI. He added that TRAI would review the situation in this regard from time to time.

    A representative of a cable operator association from Maharashtra (MocF) mentioned that about 200 LCos have signed interconnect agreements with Hathway in Maharashtra. He suggested that other large MSOs like IMCL & Siticable may also enter into agreements with LCos there on the basis of model inter-connect agreement.

    He complained that the post offices in Maharashtra were asking for no objection certificates from the offices of the district magistrate for renewal of registration to LCOs. He was told that with regard to this issue, which was raised in the last meeting also, proper reference with details should be sent to MIB He also wanted to know whether an MSO registered with MIB and operating as an LCO also is required to obtain the LCO registration from local the post office.

    A representative of CEAMA mentioned that orders for STBs had peaked in October 2015. Thereafter, except for supply orders from DTH operators and some small MSOs, no major orders have been received by them. He suggested that the MSOs planning for procurement for phase lV should place the orders now for timely delivery of STBs. He re-confirmed that they have the capacity to meet the complete requirements of phase lV.

    Representatives of state nodal officers from the Himachal Pradesh, Telengana, UP, Uttarakhand, MP, Karnataka, Bihar and J & K briefed about the various measures undertaken by them to implement the last phase of digitisation in their states. Most of them confirmed that monitoring committees have been set up and they are holding regular meetings to monitor the progress.

  • DishTV selects Wyplay to provide middleware and VAS to STBs

    DishTV selects Wyplay to provide middleware and VAS to STBs

    MUMBAI DishTV has selected creator of software solutions for pay-TV operators Wyplay, to provide its Frog Turnkey Middleware and associated class leading value added services on its STBs.

    The DishTV concept has created some excitement amongst the operator community which is struggling for freedom from the monopolistic construct of the pay-TV space. Future solutions’ will be built from top partners’ products while keeping in mind the idea of flexibility, openness and the possibility to evolve without constraints and any E2E lock.

    Speaking on the occasion, DishTV COO VK Gupta said: “Being the pioneer and market leader, DishTV  has selected Wyplay as our future middleware partner. Wyplay will enable DishTV in delivering class leading value added services on both one-way and connected STB’s with its expertise, innovative technologies and a holistic approach to customer engagement that is fully in line with DishTV’s’ driving purpose to  provide ‘Service with a Passion’. This is an ultimate move made towards ensuring customer engagement and satisfaction.”

    Recognized as a global leader in innovative software solutions for TV operators, Wyplay brings its expertise and know-how to the table, in particular through the integration of its browser-based middleware on new generation set-top boxes, the customization of its HTML5 user interface, execution excellence to deliver an easy-to-use and smooth user experience, and improved overall performance in terms of flexibility, fluidity, speed, and responsiveness.
     Wyplay CEO Jacques Bourgninaud, said:  “We are thrilled to partner with DishTV, Asia’s largest DTH company, in delivering a brand new customer experience to its subscribers.” He added: “After several months of assessment and preparation, we are now confident that all conditions needed for a successful international expansion of Frog Turnkey solution are in place, especially in terms of collaboration with STB manufacturers supporting our solution. We are now in the home stretch before the deployment of our offering, and excited about prospective for development in this new unique market.”

    Beyond European and Latin America markets, Wyplay confirms its strategy of expansion with its Frog Turnkey solution. Launched last September, Frog Turnkey solution incorporates all features required for traditional linear broadcast TV consumption, on-demand contents, applications distributed over the Internet, backend components and a modern user experience. Frog Turnkey aims to bring an attractive digital TV experience to subscribers with an affordable business model and fast deployment model for operators.

    With Frog Turnkey solution, Dish TV’s customers will have access to a complete end-to-end offering from back-end broadcast services to an advanced client managing Live TV, Record, Push VOD and Interactive Applications. 

  • DishTV selects Wyplay to provide middleware and VAS to STBs

    DishTV selects Wyplay to provide middleware and VAS to STBs

    MUMBAI DishTV has selected creator of software solutions for pay-TV operators Wyplay, to provide its Frog Turnkey Middleware and associated class leading value added services on its STBs.

    The DishTV concept has created some excitement amongst the operator community which is struggling for freedom from the monopolistic construct of the pay-TV space. Future solutions’ will be built from top partners’ products while keeping in mind the idea of flexibility, openness and the possibility to evolve without constraints and any E2E lock.

    Speaking on the occasion, DishTV COO VK Gupta said: “Being the pioneer and market leader, DishTV  has selected Wyplay as our future middleware partner. Wyplay will enable DishTV in delivering class leading value added services on both one-way and connected STB’s with its expertise, innovative technologies and a holistic approach to customer engagement that is fully in line with DishTV’s’ driving purpose to  provide ‘Service with a Passion’. This is an ultimate move made towards ensuring customer engagement and satisfaction.”

    Recognized as a global leader in innovative software solutions for TV operators, Wyplay brings its expertise and know-how to the table, in particular through the integration of its browser-based middleware on new generation set-top boxes, the customization of its HTML5 user interface, execution excellence to deliver an easy-to-use and smooth user experience, and improved overall performance in terms of flexibility, fluidity, speed, and responsiveness.
     Wyplay CEO Jacques Bourgninaud, said:  “We are thrilled to partner with DishTV, Asia’s largest DTH company, in delivering a brand new customer experience to its subscribers.” He added: “After several months of assessment and preparation, we are now confident that all conditions needed for a successful international expansion of Frog Turnkey solution are in place, especially in terms of collaboration with STB manufacturers supporting our solution. We are now in the home stretch before the deployment of our offering, and excited about prospective for development in this new unique market.”

    Beyond European and Latin America markets, Wyplay confirms its strategy of expansion with its Frog Turnkey solution. Launched last September, Frog Turnkey solution incorporates all features required for traditional linear broadcast TV consumption, on-demand contents, applications distributed over the Internet, backend components and a modern user experience. Frog Turnkey aims to bring an attractive digital TV experience to subscribers with an affordable business model and fast deployment model for operators.

    With Frog Turnkey solution, Dish TV’s customers will have access to a complete end-to-end offering from back-end broadcast services to an advanced client managing Live TV, Record, Push VOD and Interactive Applications. 

  • Budget 2016: Major relief for cable TV industry as STBs exempt from basic custom duty

    Budget 2016: Major relief for cable TV industry as STBs exempt from basic custom duty

    NEW DELHI: In a major relief to the cable television and industry, which will also boost digitisation, basic custom duty (BCD) has been exempted in several parts and components of electronic equipment including set top boxes (STBs) for television or internet.

    Presenting his budget for 2016-17, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced that parts and components, subparts for manufacture of routers, broadband modems, STBs for gaining access to internet, STBs for TV, digital video recorder (DVR)/network video recorder (NVR), CCTV camera/IP camera, lithium ion battery [other than those for mobile handsets] were being exempted.

    The excise duty on the above has been changed, falling from 12.5 per cent to four per cent.

    He also said excise duty on parts and components, subparts for manufacture of the above mentioned items was being exempted from the current 12.5 per cent.

    The service tax on the services of Information Technology software on media bearing RSP, are being exempted, provided appropriate Central Excise duty is paid with effect from 1 March.

    The mutual exclusiveness of levy of excise duty and service tax on information technology software [in respect of software recorded on media and “not for retail sale”] has been ensured by exempting from excise duty only that portion of the transaction value on which service tax is paid, with effect from 1 March. Thus, it remains at 14 per cent.

  • Budget 2016: Major relief for cable TV industry as STBs exempt from basic custom duty

    Budget 2016: Major relief for cable TV industry as STBs exempt from basic custom duty

    NEW DELHI: In a major relief to the cable television and industry, which will also boost digitisation, basic custom duty (BCD) has been exempted in several parts and components of electronic equipment including set top boxes (STBs) for television or internet.

    Presenting his budget for 2016-17, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced that parts and components, subparts for manufacture of routers, broadband modems, STBs for gaining access to internet, STBs for TV, digital video recorder (DVR)/network video recorder (NVR), CCTV camera/IP camera, lithium ion battery [other than those for mobile handsets] were being exempted.

    The excise duty on the above has been changed, falling from 12.5 per cent to four per cent.

    He also said excise duty on parts and components, subparts for manufacture of the above mentioned items was being exempted from the current 12.5 per cent.

    The service tax on the services of Information Technology software on media bearing RSP, are being exempted, provided appropriate Central Excise duty is paid with effect from 1 March.

    The mutual exclusiveness of levy of excise duty and service tax on information technology software [in respect of software recorded on media and “not for retail sale”] has been ensured by exempting from excise duty only that portion of the transaction value on which service tax is paid, with effect from 1 March. Thus, it remains at 14 per cent.

  • 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.

  • TDSAT asks GTPL Hathway to restore RCN Digital’s signals

    TDSAT asks GTPL Hathway to restore RCN Digital’s signals

    NEW DELHI: GTPL Hathway has been asked by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to restore the signals to RCN Digital. 
     
    In their order, vacation bench of members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava said GTPL Hathway and RCN Digital to maintain the status quo as on 26 December, 2015.
     
    With this order, the Tribunal listed the petition by RCN Digital for 6 January. 
     
    Counsel Saurabh Upadhayay, counsel for RCN told the Tribunal that payment of Rs 1.17 crore had been made towards activation charges of the set top boxes (STBs) provided to RCN.
     
    But he said the signals were disconnected without any notice on 27 December.
     
    Upadhayay said that an agreement duly signed was sent by RCN to Hathway but had not been returned after the signature of the latter.
  • DAS Phase III: Govt claims 75% STB seeding; MSOs claim 50% across India

    DAS Phase III: Govt claims 75% STB seeding; MSOs claim 50% across India

    NEW DELHI: Even as the Government claimed total success in the switchover to Phase III of Cable TV Digitisation from today (1 January, 2016), there were reports from various multi system operators (MSOs) in different parts of the country who complained of shortage of set top boxes (STBs).
     
    An MSO in a city that came under Phase II in Madhya Pradesh told Indiantelevision.com that he had received frantic calls from some MSOs wanting STBs.
     
    Similarly, an LCO in Mumbai said that he had received similar calls from other parts of Maharashtra. He claimed that there was just around 50 per cent seeding across the country.
     
    The Hyderabad High Court has already extended the Digital Addressable System (DAS) deadline for two months in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana.
     
    Meanwhile, the 13th meeting of the Task Force was told on 30 December that more than 75 per cent seeding of STBs had been acomplished.
     
    Describing the progress as “very positive,” an official release today noted that seeding has taken place in most of the notified urban areas with STBs, while the seeding-dark area were only around 400 out of more than 6000 urban areas, many of which had population below 1000 while the rest were in areas having population of less than 5000. 
     
    The seeding figures as shared in the meeting indicated a high level of seeding in the country, to the extent of more than 75 per cent, excluding Tamil Nadu where certain legal matters have restricted the process of digitisation. This figure was expected to be higher when all the registered MSOs provide their final figures. 

    Broadcasters were advised to ensure that no analogue signals are transmitted in Phase III areas after 31 December but without affecting analogue signals in Phase IV areas. 

    It was unanimously decided at the meeting presided over by Special Secretary J S Mathur that looking to the positive outcome of the Digitisation Phase III exercise and the fact that the notification for the cut-off date for phase III was issued more than a year ago, there was absolutely no requirement for extension of the cut-off date. 

     
    The Task Force, where Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya and Adviser Yogendra Pal were present, noted that various awareness campaigns, Task Force and MSO sub-group meetings and orientation workshops for the state and district Nodal officers have been held during this period. A multilingual toll free helpline (1800 180 4343) has also been made operational.