Even after the deadline for Digital Addressable Cable TV System (DAS) ended on February 28, its implementation from analog to digitisation system is not yet complete in the city.
Owing to many gaps in the transition mechanism, the multi-system operators (MSOs) are not able to implement it effectively. On Tuesday, the signals were cut off for many subscribers, even for those who have submitted their consumer application forms (CAF) to their cable TV operators. Most of the MSOs have received only 50 per cent of the CAFs required to enter into the subscriber management systems (SMS) database and that too with incomplete details, it is learnt. Though TRAI has directed the MSOs to disconnect the signals for those who fail to submit their CAF, there are some pockets that continue to enjoy uninterrupted analog service. “Though a good number of subscribers entered into the SMS database in other cities, we are still waiting for the CAFs from the cable TV operators to complete the process,” says P. Srinivasa Rao, general manager of Venkata Sai Media Pvt. Ltd. Lack of proper monitoring mechanism, fear of losing old customer base and technical hiccups are some of the reasons pointed out by cable TV operators for the delay in the implementation of DAS.
