CAS may stage a comeback

The Conditional Access System (CAS) may make a comeback with the government ready to try its luck once again in implementing the controversial cable television regulation.

Towards the end of 2003, the government abandoned the plan to implement CAS because broadcasters and cable network operators failed to reach an agreement.

There were also disagreements among broadcasters over the pricing of television channels. CAS stipulated that every pay TV channel be priced separately and distributed individually through a set-top box.

According to the original plan, the government had indentified Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata for rolling out CAS in the first phase. But, it was rolled out partially in Chennai, while attempts to implement it in other parts failed.

"We want to have a look at the CAS legislation once again and see how it can be revived. There is a need to regulate the cable television distribution system," said a senior information and broadcasting ministry official.

Information and broadcasting ministry sources pointed out that there could be provisions in the proposed broadcasting policy to tackle CAS-related issues.

There may also be moves to classify cable distribution as part of the broadcasting service so that it comes under the purview of the broadcast law. Cable service is currently classified as a telecommunication service.

It was also proposed that CAS should not be made mandatory and consumers should be free to select any television channel distribution system. CAS was mandatory according to the original proposal.

Cable operators, who have been supporting CAS, say its implementation will help them immensely as the pricing of channels will become more transparent.

A group of Indian broadcasters, under the banner of Indian Media Group, today asked the government to direct cable operators to digitally deliver all foreign television channels through set-top boxes. Broadcasters say a digital system will further open up capacity in the cable networks, so that more channels can be carried.

According to the government, with direct-to-home (DTH) policy also in place, it's time to regulate the cable distribution companies, which so far have had a free run.

There is also a view in the government that for better implementation of uplinking and downlinking policies, cable TV distribution companies also need to be regulated.

"The government wants a strict timetable to implement CAS and wants to sort out all issues before implementing it, unlike the last time," said an official.

---

STORY SO FAR

CAS plan was abandoned towards the end of 2003 over differences between broadcasters and cable operators

Broadcasters also disagreed over the pricing of TV channels

Attempts to implement CAS in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata failed while there was only a partial rollout in Chennai