Common FAQs

The state of art digital technology will make available enhanced picture and sound quality, large no. of channels and value added services like movies on demand, broadband, games, pay per view, HD etc. The digital cable TV service will be available through a Set Top Box.

No. Digital Cable TV is not affected by rainy weather unlike the DTH service.

The plan is for complete digitalization of cable television in the four metros by October 31, 2012. (ii).The next target will be cities with over 10 lakh population by March 2013. (iii).By the end of 2014, the entire country is scheduled to have phased out analogue cable TV.

Digital Addressable System (DAS) is a description normally used for a set of hardware devices and connected software used at different stages of distribution of a TV channels through which the channels are transmitted in encrypted form. It contains the following attributes: The subscriber is given an authorization depending upon his request to view one or more of such encrypted channels of his choice. The subscriber will pay for those channels which he or she has chosen to view in such a system. The authorization is given and controlled by the Multi System Operator (MSO) who owns the DAS in a Cable Television Network. In this, he is often assisted by the Local Cable Operator. Addressable system" signifies that a subscriber is identifiable. The Multi System Operator and the broadcaster will know the exact number of subscribers of a channel or a bouquet of channels and the amount that is due from that subscriber.

"Set top box"(STB) is a device, which is connected to a television set at the subscribers' premises and which allows a subscriber to view encrypted channels of his choice on payment. The basic function of the Set Top Box is to decrypt/decode the signals of those channels which the subscriber has been authorized by the multi system operator to receive and to convert the digital signals into analogue mode for viewing on television sets.

A smart card or a viewing card essentially functions like an ATM Card and comes along with the Set Top Box and allows the signals of only those channels to be seen which the subscriber has contracted to pay for a particular period.

"Multi-System Operator ( MSO )" means a cable operator who receives a programming service from a broadcaster and/or his authorized agencies and re-transmits the same or transmits his own programming service for simultaneous reception either by multiple subscribers directly or through one or more local cable operators (LCOs), and includes his authorized distribution agencies by whatever name called.

Introduction of addressable systems requires large investments in equipment such as Headend, encryption, Subscriber management system and set top boxes. This level of investment cannot be done by the local cable operator. Hence an MSO sets the platform to receive signals from the broadcasters, adapts it to provide for addressability, keeps the consumer database, ensures compliance of quality of service and other regulations of TRAI and through Local cable operators or in some cases directly provides channels to subscribers. Thus the local cable operator is supposed to enter into an agreement with one of the permitted MSOs. (As per TRAI guidelines)

A subscriber can get a Set Top Box as mentioned below: i) On a rental basis from the Multi System Operator under a Standard Tariff Package prescribed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority or under any alternative tariff package offered by the multi system operator. ii) A subscriber is also free to buy on outright basis the set top box from the Multi system operator. iii) A subscriber can also get a Set Top Box against a security amount paid to Multi System operator or Cable operator.