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Cable rules being amended to keep check on MSO's digitisation progress

Indiantelevision.com Team

(2 July 2012 2:58 pm)

NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry feels that in the changed scenario of digitisation, the multi-system operators (MSOs) would have to be accountable for the information they provide about the progress in digitising cable services.

According to I&B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma, the Cable Television Networks Rules, 2012 are being amended in this regard as well as the changed scenario of the deferment of digitisation by four months.

The amendments have been sent to the Law Ministry for approval.

Following the amendments, the Ministry would be able to take action against MSOs and other stakeholders if their information on the number of set top boxes (STBs) procured and installed is found to be incorrect. Furthermore, the Ministry can also cancel the licence of the respective operator.

The Ministry also proposes to make it compulsory for all operators to provide information within a preset time-frame.

The action has been planned, sources said, because the Ministry was unable to form an opinion earlier relating to progress in feeding STBs as well as digitisation which led to deferment of the first phase from 1 July to 1 November this year.