I&B Ministry
Chrome at variance with MIB on DAS Phase III, claims 78.6 per cent completed
MUMBAI: Even as the Information & Broadcasting Ministry has claimed almost 100 per cent digitization in the ongoing Phase III of digital addressable systems, Chrome Data Analytics & Media says its studies show the figure is much lower at 78.6 per cent.
The Task Force for the final two phases set up by the Ministry was informed in its 15th meeting on 30 May 2016 that about 41 million set top boxes had been seeded in Phase III despite the pending cases in many high courts.
As reported by indiantelevision.com, the claim was made by Information and Broadcasting joint secretary R Jaya who had earlier told the 14th meeting on 16 February 2016 that around 90.44 percent success had been achieved in DAS phase III. During the meeting it was informed that the seeding of STBs by MSOs increased from 6.91 million to 12.43 million between 31 December 2015 and 15 February 2016.
However, Chrome says its calculation of 78.6 per cent is primarily based on the 31.83 million C&S population that was digitized out of a total of 40.50 million C&S population in DAS III areas.
This number was based on primary research that supports the company’s proprietary tools like the Chrome subscriber establishment survey, widely used by the broadcasting industry, taking into account the Census 2011 numbers.
Chrome Data Analytics & Media CEO Pankaj Krishna told indiantelevision.com that “what we have seen in the current DAS phase is significant gains for DTH players, with their considerable infrastructure contributing towards these gains.”
Phase IV of DAS, the last phase of digitization that aims at covering all the remaining urban and rural areas in the country is set to be completed by 31 December 2016.
I&B Ministry
Digital radio, D2M tech set to reshape broadcasting and public messaging
Govt pushes next-gen delivery while TRAI tightens grip on spam ecosystem
NEW DELHI: India’s broadcasting and telecom landscape is undergoing a quiet but significant upgrade, with digital radio and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technologies emerging as powerful tools for mass communication, while regulators step up efforts to tackle spam calls.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, digital radio and D2M are poised to transform how content reaches audiences by making more efficient use of spectrum. In simple terms, multiple channels can now be delivered over a single frequency, opening the door to a wider range of free-to-air content.
D2M technology takes this a step further by enabling video, audio and data to be broadcast directly to mobile handsets without relying on SIM cards or mobile data. The result is a resilient and cost-effective data pipe that can deliver everything from entertainment and education to critical emergency alerts, even in low-connectivity scenarios.
At the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is tightening its grip on unsolicited commercial communication, better known as spam calls. The regulator has deployed a distributed ledger technology platform to bring transparency and accountability into the system.
Through this blockchain-based setup, consumers can register their preferences on receiving promotional messages, while businesses and telemarketers must also sign up and operate within defined rules. The platform also includes a complaint mechanism that allows users to report spam, with complaints shared across telecom operators for coordinated action.
The government’s broader push is being supported by infrastructure upgrades under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme. Implemented through Prasar Bharati, the initiative focuses on modernising networks such as Akashvani and Doordarshan, including digitisation and adoption of next-generation broadcast equipment.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan said these steps are part of a larger effort to promote emerging technologies and strengthen the country’s broadcasting backbone. The response came to a query raised by member of Parliament Rao Rajendra Singh.
Together, these developments point to a dual-track strategy: expanding access to reliable, low-cost content while cleaning up the communication ecosystem. As digital pipes get smarter and spam filters sharper, India’s airwaves may soon feel a lot less noisy and far more useful.
