This story first appeared in DNA Money edition on Saturday, October 06, 2012.
With the November 1 (extended) deadline for the first phase of the switchover from analogue to digital cable television (CTV) fast approaching, multi system operators (MSOs), led by Siti Cable Network (formerly Wire and Wireless), are going all out to ensure its effective implementation in the four metros.
Siti has executed digital addressable system (DAS) interconnect agreements with 55% of its local cable operators (LCOs), which will allow the latter to provide encrypted TV signals to subscribers, said Anil Malhotra, its COO. “We are engaging the LCOs for a smooth migration to the digital regime.”
MSOs aggregate channels of various broadcasters and supply them to LCOs for delivery to end-users (viewers/subscribers). Typically, a broadcaster offers a fee – carriage revenue – to MSOs for ‘carrying’ its content on their networks.
“Siti’s decision to offer 25% of its carriage revenue to LCOs has been very well received. LCOs are enthusiastic about implementing the digital switchover,” said an analyst with a leading domestic brokerage.
In June, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had extended the deadline to November 1 at the request of the industry representatives. Yet, the short extension has not really led the C&S industry to expedite the process. Barring Siti, MSOs have been sluggish in executing interconnect agreement with LCOs, sources said.
In contrast, Siti introduced ‘Own Your Subscriber Management System’ designed specially for LCOs, facilitating the latter to handle subscriber-related transactions on their own. Beneficiaries of the SMS system are looking forward to handling tasks like activation, deactivation, upgradation, downgradation, billing, payments, account statements, packaging and complaints, sources said.
The SMS system can be accessed by the cable operator on mobile phone, tablets, personal computer (desktop/ laptop). “Such systems empower the local cable operator. It will help him to provide better and prompt services to his subscribers on the digital platform,” said Siti’s Malhotra.
Siti has 56 analogue and 14 digital head-ends and a network of more than 12,000 km of optical fibre and coaxial cable. The company provides its cable services in India’s 60 key cities and the adjoining areas, reaching over ten million viewers.
With the November 1 (extended) deadline for the first phase of the switchover from analogue to digital cable television (CTV) fast approaching, multi system operators (MSOs), led by Siti Cable Network (formerly Wire and Wireless), are going all out to ensure its effective implementation in the four metros.
Siti has executed digital addressable system (DAS) interconnect agreements with 55% of its local cable operators (LCOs), which will allow the latter to provide encrypted TV signals to subscribers, said Anil Malhotra, its COO. “We are engaging the LCOs for a smooth migration to the digital regime.”
MSOs aggregate channels of various broadcasters and supply them to LCOs for delivery to end-users (viewers/subscribers). Typically, a broadcaster offers a fee – carriage revenue – to MSOs for ‘carrying’ its content on their networks.
“Siti’s decision to offer 25% of its carriage revenue to LCOs has been very well received. LCOs are enthusiastic about implementing the digital switchover,” said an analyst with a leading domestic brokerage.
In June, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had extended the deadline to November 1 at the request of the industry representatives. Yet, the short extension has not really led the C&S industry to expedite the process. Barring Siti, MSOs have been sluggish in executing interconnect agreement with LCOs, sources said.
In contrast, Siti introduced ‘Own Your Subscriber Management System’ designed specially for LCOs, facilitating the latter to handle subscriber-related transactions on their own. Beneficiaries of the SMS system are looking forward to handling tasks like activation, deactivation, upgradation, downgradation, billing, payments, account statements, packaging and complaints, sources said.
The SMS system can be accessed by the cable operator on mobile phone, tablets, personal computer (desktop/ laptop). “Such systems empower the local cable operator. It will help him to provide better and prompt services to his subscribers on the digital platform,” said Siti’s Malhotra.
Siti has 56 analogue and 14 digital head-ends and a network of more than 12,000 km of optical fibre and coaxial cable. The company provides its cable services in India’s 60 key cities and the adjoining areas, reaching over ten million viewers.
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