Cable TV and DTH subscribers will have the option of switching operators without having to change their set-top boxes.
Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar announced the plan today, citing the example of portability in cellphones under which customers change service-providers but not their numbers.
Javadekar said the Centre was working towards a system under which TV subscribers too would be able to change operators by merely inserting a new card instead of having to buy a new set-top box.
“Like the portability of the mobile phone (number), viewers should have options with set-top boxes. They should be able to put in any card (of the service provider) of their choice into the box,” the minister said after chairing a meeting of a task force on cable TV digitisation.
The Centre recently asked regulator Trai to explore how set-top box “inter-operability” could be made possible.
“Inter-operability will give the customer flexibility to change the operator without having to change the equipment. It will only require changing a smart card, as in mobile phones,” said a ministry official.
At the meeting, Javadekar reviewed the progress of the third and fourth phases of cable digitisation — which ensures better picture and sound quality and more channels — that will see the change spread to villages from the big cities covered in the first two stages.
Smooth cable switch
Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar announced the plan today, citing the example of portability in cellphones under which customers change service-providers but not their numbers.
Javadekar said the Centre was working towards a system under which TV subscribers too would be able to change operators by merely inserting a new card instead of having to buy a new set-top box.
“Like the portability of the mobile phone (number), viewers should have options with set-top boxes. They should be able to put in any card (of the service provider) of their choice into the box,” the minister said after chairing a meeting of a task force on cable TV digitisation.
The Centre recently asked regulator Trai to explore how set-top box “inter-operability” could be made possible.
“Inter-operability will give the customer flexibility to change the operator without having to change the equipment. It will only require changing a smart card, as in mobile phones,” said a ministry official.
At the meeting, Javadekar reviewed the progress of the third and fourth phases of cable digitisation — which ensures better picture and sound quality and more channels — that will see the change spread to villages from the big cities covered in the first two stages.
Smooth cable switch
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