Digitisation mandatory by Nov. 1; cable TV operators to approach High Court for stay order
The deadline is approaching. On November 1, all households in the city with a television will have to install set top boxes (STBs) — those who don’t, may just find themselves with only a blank screen to look at.
Cable television operators in the city however, have said that there is a dire shortage of the devices. The operators have decided to approach the Madras High Court, to ask for a stay on the order.
On Tuesday evening, several cable TV operator groups held a demonstration in Chepauk.
“We hope the High Court gives us a stay as this will be beneficial for consumers,” said John Kennedy, president of the Chennai Metro Cable TV Operators Association.
Under The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2011, complete digitisation of cable TV in the country has been made mandatory by the end of 2014. The move is to be undertaken in four phases.
Under the first phase, it is compulsory for consumers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai to install STBs in order to receive encrypted digital signals from broadcasters through cable operators.
In Chennai, there are over 1 lakh boxes active at present, and there is a demand for about 45 lakh more. “There are three major players who supply STBs here, but none of them have stock of the devices. Even if they place orders now, it will take a couple of weeks for them to be shipped from China,” said Mr. Kennedy.
P. S. Elavarasu, president of the Tamil Nadu Cable TV Urimayalargal Sangam, said that it was unfair on the part of the government to thrust STBs on the public.
The move towards digitisation would take a toll on consumers, he said, adding, “A large section of people are not aware of the need to install the boxes. Besides, cable TV is the only source of entertainment for many low-income families. They cannot afford to buy STBs.”
V. Rama Rao, secretary of the Lakshmi Nagar Civic Welfare Association said residents in his locality had been asking their local cable TV operators for STBs.
“But they said wholesale operators have not imported the boxes in bulk over the last six months or so. Last month, out local operator contacted us and asked us to pick up the STBs after paying Rs. 1, 350 towards activation charges,” he said.
Mr. Rao added that the cost of an STB does not exceed Rs. 1,000. “The other metro city operators are supplying the devices for Rs. 700. But our operator said it was not possible as there wasn’t adequate stock of the boxes,” he said.
Mr. Rao also said that the conditional access system (CAS), which is functioning at present, was better than the digital addressable system as under the former, STBs are not forced on consumers.
The CAS rate is Rs. 5.35 per pay channel per month, and under CAS, all major Tamil pay channels are offered free in Chennai. “We hope that the Tamil Nadu government will be making an effort to extend the deadline for digitisation,” he said.
Keywords: digitisation, cable television, Chennai
Why hasn't Madras High Court done the same as " Bombay High Court" and
forced them to react? Why are we delaying the process? People have to
understand how the system works and should be aware of the huge delay by
their MSOs. Why didn't this process start at least in June and why
just 10 days before deadline? Even 1 year extension won't might not be
enough for certain MSOs!
The best alternative is go for high-speed internet instead and connect your PC to your TV and get your favourite shows via YouTube or other sites available. This way, no need of STB.
Cable Operators have been swindling our money and not shared with the broadcasters. By making digitization compulsory, the broadcaster would now know the subscriber base. Besides a better viewing experience and access to 500+ channels, there are no benefits for consumers. The Cable operators/DTH providers like Airtel are now charging exorbitant amount from consumers. Before such a rule is passed, the govt should have taken stock of the subscriber base with analogous connection and provider consumer to choose set top boxes from the open market.
Hmmmmmmmm...........
I am still confused about the revenue and who is going to benefit, but for sure not the subscribers
quit smoking,eat healthy things of same value in rupees
I still can't figure how the government is getting away with this loot. I think the
common public should first ask why is this digitization mandatory in a first place?
What is the need for it and who is really going to benefit from this change?
To make it very clear maximum benefit is for the TV broadcasting companies & the
government. There is very little benefit to the consumer, if any. Unless you have a
big TV a digital channels are of no use. Infact, changing channels will only become
slower with set-top box.
What bothers me is the the fact that consumers are being forced to buy this device
for the benefit of the TV broadcasting companies. If the cable distributors cheat,
it's not the problem of the consumers. Yet they are made to suffer.
The other gentleman here posted that if people can afford a Rs. 10000 T.V they
can afford 2000 extra for the set top box. Yes probably they can, but if there's no
benefit from that purchase, why shld they waste their money to please others
Typical Chennai attitude! Where did the 45 lakh number come from? Were DTH houses counted? Considering that every channel was telecasting the government advertisement for the past 2 or 3 months, people do not know is not an excuse.
Who are they kidding?
The leading channel in Chennai does not want any accountability and since the cable network is also owned by the channel, it is clear that STB stocks will not be available when it is required.
Government should not delay digitisation this time.
I believe technology should be used to make our life better and
primary concerned should be to provide access of better medical
equipment (X-ray, MRI etc) in rural and urban areas. Digitization can
wait. With such speed of digitization of signal i believe, rural areas
will have digitize cable signal before better medical facility which
we need so urgently. One has to go to big cities for better medical
facility but wouldn't have to for better viewing experience of digital
signal. Who'll benefit from Rs 800 to 1000 set-top-box(companies who
manufacture them) while the basic requirement of medical care will
take a toll just because our politician wants to us to have better
viewing experience. Its time for people to decide what they want.
Digitization and other technological implementation can be done simultaneously but what should get precedence/priority is not a tricky
question.
The cable operators will never show interest in installing STB.Because they cannot cheat the number of connections and they have to pay real tax. A poor who is able by a TV for Rs 10000 can buy a STB for 1000-2000. It can be made much cheaper also. They are trying to put the blame of people. Govt should force them to STB system and people should support the move
I recall that in 2009 when USA went digital, the government provided every household a 40$ rebate coupon code, with which they could procure the DTV box and the suppliers will reclaim that from the government.This way it was uniform across the country and no hoarding of equipment as we see in Chennai now.
Plus, It is sad that people are thrust with Cable TV in India, that is there are no terresterial telecast channels in and around that provides quality programming and reliable news.
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