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Kolkata , Sept. 2

THE imbroglio over the implementation of the conditional access system (CAS) in Kolkata continued today even as representatives of the State Government, multi-system operators (MSOs), cable operators and consumer groups met here to discuss a way of resolving the vexed problem.

While officials of the State Government declined to address queries from newspersons, representatives of the MSOs and cable operators briefed the media on the deliberations at the meeting.

It has been suggested to the State Government that a core committee should be formed to delve into the issues that were coming in the way of the implementation of CAS in Kolkata.

The State Government, it was stated, has agreed to look into the suggestion that a core committee should be formed with representation from the State Government, consumer groups, MSOs and cable operators. No cut-off date has been fixed during which time a decision would be taken in this regard.

All stakeholders in the CAS initiative agreed that CAS should be implemented "in the interest of the consumers". However, the role of the State Government in its implementation could not be overlooked.

According to Mr Tarak Saha, Secretary of the Forum of Cable Operators, there were several questions in the minds of consumers that were required to be addressed before CAS could be implemented without any hassles. "Customers are asking as to why they should invest in set top boxes when they can view all channels now for around Rs 200 per month."

Mr Saha's views were echoed by Mr Samar Majumdar, Secretary of the West Bengal Cable TV Franchisor's Association: "We need to educate the consumers further before CAS can be rolled out. This is imperative to avoid problems that may rise on account of misunderstandings between customers and cable operators who offer the last mile connectivity".

Mr Mrinal Chatterjee, Member of the Task for CAS, said the Act was not clear as to whether, and if so how, consumers can exercise their option of availing of the cable service of one particular MSO.

"Since cable operators generally operate as the only service provider in a particular radius or cluster, the customer has no choice but to watch what that cable operator, who is part of the distribution channel of one particular MSO, has to offer.

"Does the individual customer have the choice to tell his cable operator that he wishes to watch the offerings of MSO-A and not MSO-B. When that happens, one can actually say that the customer can exercise his choice," he said, adding that this was among the issues that needed to be sorted out before CAS could be rolled out.

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