Trai sends cable TV restructuring draft to MIB

(25 July 2008 3:30 pm)

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has sent its final recommendations on “Restructuring of Cable TV Services” to the ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).

Earlier on 15 July, the sector regulator had released draft recommendation on restructuring of cable TV service.

An important feature of the recommendation is a five-year time frame for digital transmission through cable TV. Trai has also called for an entry fee for different areas of operations and a five-year licence fee with well-defined renewal procedures.

“A separate licensing framework for cable TV operators (LCOs) and multi system operators (MSOs) should be chartered. Also option and flexibility to choose Service will be given both to LCOs and MSOs”, Trai said.

Trai's aim is to spread network digitisation, increase addressability and encourage voluntary conditional access system (Cas).

Trai has also prescribed incentives to MSOs for introducing total digitised networks.

Explains Trai chairman Nripendra Misra, “By incentives, we mean that the licence fee has been reduced and the area of functioning has been increased. Also similar recognition has been provided to MSOs and LCOs in both Cas and non-Cas areas.”

LCOs and MSOs are encouraged to use latest transmission technologies such as fibre for better quality of service. "Both MSOs and LCOs have been made eligible for Right of Way. In addition, special concession of 50 per cent has been assigned in the entry fee for LCOs and MSOs for an initial period of three years for Jammu & Kashmir region and North Eastern states,” Trai said.