MUMBAI: The implementation of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS) in India is in progress in a phased manner. The entire structuring is planned in 4 phases. In Phase-III, the sunset dates for analog TV transmission in urban areas is 31 December, 2015.
The MSOs (Multi System Operators), who have been granted registration for providing cable TV services through DAS, are required to enter into interconnection agreements with pay TV broadcasters for re-transmission of pay TV channels to the subscribers.
According to the official report for implementation of DAS, the Authority has notified a comprehensive regulatory framework encompassing interconnection, quality of service, consumer complaint redressal regulation and tariff orders.
The Regulatory framework for DAS provides that every broadcaster shall provide the signals of TV channels to a MSO, in accordance with its reference interconnect offer or as may be mutually agreed, within 60 days from the date of receipt of the request and in case the request for providing signals of TV Channels is not agreed to, the reasons for such refusal to provide signals shall be conveyed to the person making a request within 60 days from the date of request.
As the cutoff date for Phase-III areas is fast approaching, the registered MSOs are advised to make a written request to the broadcasters of pay channels for provisioning of the signals of TV channels as per their business requirement, so that they get signals of pay TV channels well before the cutoff date.
The MSOs who have approached pay TV broadcasters for providing signals of TV channels in accordance with the provisions of the interconnection regulations but have not been able to enter into interconnection agreement even after passage of 60 days from the date of making request and also not received valid reasons for not entering into interconnection agreement from the broadcaster may write to TRAI by 28 November, 2015 through e-mail at das@trai.gov.in for initiating action in such cases as per TRAI Act.
