CAS for Cable TV Network

As per TRAI directives, after 31 December 2015, analog signal for viewing cable TV has been stopped for tire III cities also. Near future, hole country may covered under CAS for viewing cable TV. Customer should raise voice on the following points:
1. Set Top Box (STB) provided by the MSO are network specific and can't be used in other network. As an example, if a STB is provided by DigiCable that can be used only on DigiCable network or if the STB is provided by Hathway that can be used only on Hathway. This STB can't be used in other network. As a result, if you are not satisfied with any MSO, changing of the MSO will cost more and previous STB will be unused. On other hand, if you change your residence and previous MOS is not available in your local area your STB will become unusable. As like mobile hand set, TRAI should recommend universal access STB which can be used through all network and user should purchase only CHIP for the desired MSO (as like SIM card of the mobile service provider). Only changing of "CHIP" can change the MSO and new STB will not be required.
2. Using of CAS is increased average view cost of cable TV, specially in rural area. TRAI should develop such policy that will increase competition among the MSO and help to control viewing cost. more

Helpful Connected Consumers Jan 12

Viewed by 47

Manoranjan Basak

Thank you Mr. Utpal Ghosh & Mr. R Ram Mohan for your support & comments. As per my opinion TRAI is working only for government earning. This is also helps to earn better for the MSO. Though TRAI is announcing that pay only for that channel you want to view, but for most of the MSO, there are a basic charge which you must have to pay. A-la-cart charge is so high that charge for 5 to 6 a-la-cart pack is higher than MSO provided package charge. Further, STB also MSO specific, if you want any special featured STB, you can't manage it until MSO provide that specific service. more

Jan 14

Utpal Ghosh

I fully agree to Mr. Manoranjan's view. Competition is totally defeated with the current situation. more

Jan 14

R Ram Mohan

Yes, I too agree with Mr. Manoranjan for universal access of STBs if we wanted to change of MSOs as is being done for mobile communication. With regard to cost of Cable TV, it is being dictated by the pay channel operators to MSOs/Cable Operators. By bringing the condition of digilisation of Cable TV, it is very much beneficial only a) to the pay channel operators, who will be knowing exact viewership of their channels and accordingly they collect money from MSOs. b) to the Governments both State and Central, no MSO can escape from paying entertainment tax, service tax, etc. to the exact. That means, TRAI has failed to protect the interests of the Cable TV customers. TRAI simply says that by digilisation, consumers can choose the channels to their choice of channels and make payment accordingly.Government/TRAI has not evolved any rules and regularisation on how to control the channel operator on fixing rates of their channels. Hence, the consumers are being fleeced by the pay channel operators through MSOs/Cable TV Operators. As far as Cable TV Operators are concerned, MSO never ensure the boundary/area of operation for them under an MSO. That means, an MSO also gives connections in the areas where already their Cable TV Operators are existing. But MSOs fix and dictate amount to be paid monthly. Ultimately forcing these Cable TV Operators to quit the business and sell it to the MSOs for paltry sum. more

Jan 13