Officials said the I&B ministry has set June 30 as the date for digitalisation of the cable sector in the four Metros and these cable rules would provide the framework on which the digitalised cable networks would provide services.
As per the new rules cable operators and Multi Sector Operators (MSOs) will now have to ensure that they have the capacity to carry minimum number of channels as specified by the Telcom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
TRAI is expected in the coming days to specify the minimum number of channels that each cable operator and MSO will have to show as per the cable rules issued today.
"This provision is just one of the consumer friendly provisions in the rules because it will ensure that every consumer gets a minimum variety of TV channels through the cable," said an official.
Officials said that another consumer friendly clause thatthe rules include is that MSOs will have to buy back set top boxes from their subscribers if the customer happens to be moving out of the area.
In case a cable viewer is not happy with the quality of service, a provision to surrender the STB back to the MSO and the cable operator have been provided in the new rules.
With the government's digitalisation drive, customers are required to install STBs on their TV sets, but the new cable rules mean that customers will not be stuck with STBs in case he wants to change his service provider.
