The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is apparently not pleased with the speed at which Multi System Operators (MSOs) are implementing Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS) in Kolkata. In spite of almost nine months having passed since the government body started aggressively pushing for service providers to embrace DAS, it’s been reported that the Subscriber Management System has not been dealt with fast enough.
While other metros in India are said to have added more than 80% of subscribers’ details and channel choices to the database, Kolkata only has records of 20% of the same. Basically, the Subscriber Management System is a collection of each customer’s Consumer Application Form as well as their channel, package or service preferences. According to the Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems Regulation 2012, Multi System Operators cannot deliver cable TV via a set top box unless the owner has submitted his or her application form.
TRAI has been trying to bring the benefits of digital TV to everyone for quite some time now. On this front, we’ve been seeing public notices including advertisements and tickers being run on various channels over the past few months. One of the ideas behind forcing this change was to standardize the fees charged by operators over complaints of exorbitant rates being demanded in certain places. Then the quality of service was also expected to be enhanced by cable digitization. Based on our experience, we can unhesitatingly note that the last mentioned is far from being achieved.
If service providers are found to be violating the rules set down by TRAI beyond the soon to-be-confirmed deadline, they can invite penal action and any other castigation imposed by the regulatory body.