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Hathway and Den have emerged as the leading multi-system operators (MSO) in terms of the seeding of digital set-top boxes (STBs) as India's telecoms regulator raises questions about the stifling of competition during the ongoing digitisation of India's cable TV network.
A consultation paper from the Telecoms Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reveals that in the first two phases of nationwide digitisation, Hathway had connected 23.5% of the STBs, Den 18.5%, Siticable 11%, IMCL 10.6%, Digicable 10.1%, Fastway 6.3%, GTPL 6%, KAL 3%, and others accounting for 11% combined
TRAI has issued the paper to stakeholders to examine, on behalf of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, if 'reasonable restrictions' should be placed on MSOs and local cable operators (LCOs) to restrict operational areas or subscriber bases to curb monopolies.
"It has been observed in some states that a single entity has, over a period of time, acquired several multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs), virtually monopolising the cable TV distribution," the regulator said.
"Such monopolies or market dominance are clearly not in the best interest of consumers and may have serious implications in terms of competition, pricing, quality of service and healthy growth of the cable TV sector."
While recognising the MSO completion in Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Maharashtra, TRAI points out that a single player has become dominant in Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Odisha, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
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A consultation paper from the Telecoms Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reveals that in the first two phases of nationwide digitisation, Hathway had connected 23.5% of the STBs, Den 18.5%, Siticable 11%, IMCL 10.6%, Digicable 10.1%, Fastway 6.3%, GTPL 6%, KAL 3%, and others accounting for 11% combined
TRAI has issued the paper to stakeholders to examine, on behalf of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, if 'reasonable restrictions' should be placed on MSOs and local cable operators (LCOs) to restrict operational areas or subscriber bases to curb monopolies.
"It has been observed in some states that a single entity has, over a period of time, acquired several multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs), virtually monopolising the cable TV distribution," the regulator said.
"Such monopolies or market dominance are clearly not in the best interest of consumers and may have serious implications in terms of competition, pricing, quality of service and healthy growth of the cable TV sector."
While recognising the MSO completion in Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Maharashtra, TRAI points out that a single player has become dominant in Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Odisha, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
Wish to read further, ------>