Trai warns cable operators for non-compliance

The Telecom Regulatory and Authority of India (Trai) today said cable TV subscriber management system has not been effectively implemented in the four metros

The Telecom Regulatory and Authority of India (Trai) today said cable TV subscriber management system has not been effectively implemented in the four metros where the transition from analogue to digital signals happened months ago in the first phase.

Trais warning comes days ahead of the March 31 deadline for transition of cable television from analogue to digital in 38 cities in the second phase.

Trai said such inaction on the part of local cable operators and multi-system operators (MSO) was unacceptable and warned that it will take legal action against non-compliant cable operators as per the Trai Act.

There will be legal action if they remain non-compliant. The authority can go for prosecution against their CEOs, Trai secretary Rajeev Agrawal said.

The subscriber management system will have complete details of the subscriber including the choice of channels. Agrawal said it was the responsibility of the MSOs to operationalise the subscriber management system before providing cable TV services.

Even though the set top boxes have been seeded in these cities,the subscriber management system has not been effectively implemented, he said.