Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Tuesday, Jan 04, 2005
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Tuesday, Jan 04, 2005 |
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Info-Tech
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Regulatory Bodies & Rulings Industry & Economy - Radio/TV TRAI for digitisation of cable industry by 2010 Our Bureau
New Delhi , Jan. 3 THE Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper on digitisation of the cable industry, which aims at improving signal quality and offering more choice to the consumers. It has suggested that the digitisation should be completed between 2006 and 2010 under a proposed national plan. The consultation paper also flags off issues related to licensing of the cable industry as well as the choice of technology and the associated cost. It said that currently cable operators merely need registration to provide cable TV services. After digitalisation, these operators would not only provide additional services but also eventually converge and interconnect with telecom networks. "There is a need to look into the licensing requirements to provide services over such networks. Provision of licences could also simplify regulation as well as interconnection arrangements," it said Highlighting the advantages of digitisation, the TRAI said cable operators would be able to carry more channels on the cable systems. They would be able to expand the market by carrying niche channels to meet the multi ethnic tastes of the viewers. The additional availability of channels would increase competition among broadcasters, improve audio and video quality and enable interactive services. However, this would involve huge capital investments in upgradation of cable network. The subscriber too would have to invest in set-top boxes or digital receivers. If the TRAI's suggestions are accepted, then digitalisation of the cable industry could coincide with the 2010 Commonwealth to be held in the Capital.
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