JOIN USTransmission of satellite television programmes in analogue mode will become illegal in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai from July 1, with a new law making digitisation of cable networks mandatory coming into force in these four metros.
“Deadline is already set. Transmission in analogue mode will not be allowed as it becomes mandatory for all the cable operators there to have digitised set up by June 30 under the CableTV Networks (Regulation) Amendment Act,” an Information and Broadcasting Ministry official said.
The law seeks to completely convert the cable TV network from analogue to digital medium by December 31, 2014 in four phases.
“Complete digitisation of the cable networks in the four metro cities falls in the first phase of the programme,” the official said.
As the deadline is nearing, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting held a meeting here on Thursday and conducted a series of reviews to assess the progress of digitisation in the four metros.
According to industry data, there are over 10 million analogue TV homes that need to be digitised in these metros.
Ready for switch over
“At a high level review meeting, it was confirmed that orders had already been placed by major service providers for about 8.79 million set top boxes that would take care of the projected need of 10 million boxes for the first phase of digitisation in the four metros,” a ministry official said.
The cable industry is ready to switch over to digitised mode from July 1 is clear as they have not sought extension of deadline, the official said.
Digitisation would prove a boon to consumers in terms of picture quality and availability of wide range of channels.
The new transmission mode will also offer freedom of choice of channels to consumers as against poor picture quality, limited channels and “forcible” promotion of bouquets by some service providers, the official added.