| MUMBAI: Multi-system
operators (MSOs) have not invested enough on marketing for conditional access
system (Cas) which could have led to a slow offtake in set-top boxes (STBs), said
Ortel Communications Ltd director Jagi Mangat Panda. "MSOs shouldn't get
bogged down with smaller issues. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India also
should leave the market open," she added. She was speaking at the Ficci-Frames
2007 on "The Last Mile: Battle of Reaching Consumers." Ortel, the dominant MSO in
Orissa, has already introduced digital cable by subsidizing boxes.Stressing
on the importance of IPTV, BSNL CGM Maharashtra circle Kuldeep Goyal said the
technology offers interactivity and choice to consumers. BSNL has already launched
the service in Pune. "We plan to have our own content delivery network.
We plan to add five million broadband subscribers over one year," Goyal said.
Other speakers at the session included IndusInd Media & Communications
director Ashok Mansukhani, IBM communications sector Asia Pacific VP Vanitha Narayanan
and BBC UK future media and technology innovation executive Priya Prakash. The
session was moderated by Tam Media research CEO LV Krishnan. | 
