We are ready to roll out CAS, say operators

Multi-system operators today said they were ready to roll out conditional access system (CAS) for cable broadcasting in the four metros.

"MSOs are fully geared to offer world class digital services to the consumers at competitive prices and it's a myth that we are not prepared for addressability," said Siticable CEO Jagjit Kohli, upbeat over the recent Delhi High Court order asking the Centre to implement CAS in the four metros.

"Imagine electricity, gas, telephone without a meter and paying a random price for it.That is currently the state of the cable business in India," said MSOs while addressing the media fraternity.

Leading MSOs "" Hathway, In Cable and Siticable "" said CAS is useful for all stakeholders, including broadcasters, cable operators and end consumers.

MSOs pointed out that all channels whether they were pay or free-to-air were bundled together. Cable TV rates varied from neighbourhood to neighbourhood. This also created frequent disputes between stakeholders on the issue of under declaration, they said.

With the implementation of CAS, all pay channels will be routed through a set top box (STB) which will have individual or bouquet pricing. Free-to-air (FTA) channels will be delivered as a part of the basic cable TV fee, for which no STB is required. More than 65 FTA channels will be provided at a basic cable TV fee which is Rs 72 plus entertainment taxes.

MSO players reiterated that CAS would bring in addressability, solving the never ending feud between cable operators and broadcasters on under-declaration of subscribers and provide a clear indication of numbers for the pay channels chosen and viewed by customers.

Ashok Mansukhani, executive vice-president, HTMT said, "With TV technology getting more advanced with emerging platforms such as direct-to-home (DTH) and IPTV, why should cable operation remain primitive."

Mansukhani added that with CAS, cable operators would be able to provide better services with cost-effective digital service, value-added features and an overall better viewing experience.

It was pointed out that STBs provided any TV the ability to receive over 300 channels compared with the DTH technology, which would allow about 150 channels. The MSOs are all set on introducing added features such as pay per view, electronic program guide, child lock and triple play.

To avoid any reluctance from consumers' end towards purchasing a STB, MSO's have decided to offer rental schemes which entails a refundable deposit of Rs 999 for the STB and a daily rent of Re 1.

The MSO alliance states that the CAS bill was passed in Parliament to protect consumers and, hence, it was a myth that CAS was anti-consumer. They demanded a level-playing field to enable them to compete effectively with emerging technologies.