I&B ministry to penalise MSOs for incorrect digitisation data

The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has come out with new cable rules under which multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) can lose their license if they fail to provide data on digitisation sought by the government.

The ministry on July 7th, 2012 said that this new rule had been framed as the MSOs and LCOs were not providing consistent information about installation of set top boxes (STBs), an aspect crucial for its drive to digitalise the cable sector. “While assessing the preparedness of DAS in four metros, the ministry has come across numerous inconsistencies of data provided by the service providers, particularly MSOs, in regard to inventory position of STB and its deployment,” the I&B ministry said.

“In view of this, the ministry has amended the Cable Television Network Rules, 1995 and in second amendment, 2012, rule 10A has been inserted making it mandatory for MSOs and cable operators to provide information as and when it is sought for by the Central Government or State Government or authorised officer,” the Ministry said in a statement on July 7th, 2012.

The statement said that with insertion of this new rule, it is now mandatory for MSOs and LCOs to provide information as and when it is sought for by the central government or state government or authorised officer or any agency of the Central Government.

The ministry also said that the new rule will empower the central government to cancel or suspend the registration of cable operators or MSO if the information sought for by it is not provided by them. “As per sub-section (7) of section 4 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, the central government may suspend or revoke the registration of cable operators or MSOs if they violate one or more of the terms and conditions of registration,” the ministry statement added. “This will ensure correct and timely submission of information by cable operators and MSOs,” the statement added.

The ministry has set an ambitious task of digitalising the cable sector in the entire country by December 31, 2014.

However, its previously set deadline for the complete digitisation of cable services in the four Metros by July 1, this year had to be deferred to November 1 due to poor installation of STBs.

Officials said that the ministry hoped that the newly added cable rule and the punitive conditions would place its officials to put more pressure on MSOs and LCOs to carry installation of STBs at a faster pace.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/cable-news/item/351-ib-ministry-to-penalise-msos-for-incorrect-digitisation-data.html
Source: http://cablequest.org/news/cable-news/item/351-ib-ministry-to-penalise-msos-for-incorrect-digitisation-data.html