The Hindu : Set-Top Boxes not to be mandatory?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 28, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

Set-Top Boxes not to be mandatory?

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 27. Under pressure from various quarters to roll back the Conditional Access System (CAS), the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry appears to be weakening in its resolve to implement the new regime with all its penal provisions in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata from July 15, and is now talking of a "soft launch".

Though the Ministry is still sticking to the July 15 schedule, it is not likely to make Set-Top Boxes mandatory for viewing pay channels from this date. The I&B Secretary, Pawan Chopra, today said the Government would adopt a practical approach in view of the fact that it was still not clear whether enough STBs would be available in the market by July 15.

According to Mr. Chopra, the penal provisions would be implemented only when "there are enough STBs which can be made available immediately on demand".

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

`India, China have found a path to resolve border row'

21 accused in Gujarat riot case acquitted

Mars honeycombed with frozen water

Temple issue: VHP targets Vajpayee

Set-Top Boxes not to be mandatory?

7 terrorists arrested in U.S.

Gold prices fall

Zawahiri arrested?

Life-term for Fiji traitors

Ex-Meghalaya Minister arrested