Broadbandindia Magazine

Nearly two decades after cable transmission was first introduced in India, the first step towards comprehensively regulating the Cable TV industry that has grown to serve 78 million households, has been made. The 70,000 odd cable operators are urged to adopt digitalization in the wake of competition from alternatives such as DTH and IPTV. The recommendations which place enormous focus on quality of service, customer grievance redressal, addressability and transparency are widely applauded and industry experts believe that this would help the sector become organized and attract institutional financing. The provision to enable Right of Way to LCOs and MSOs can now ensure that we no longer have to rely on hanging cables over roof tops and electric and telephone poles or trees. Once the proposed recommendations are introduced Cable TV network is all likely to become the Next Generation Network. There is more good news for Cable operators, especially for those who were disillusioned and disheartened at the face of growing competition from big giants in the broadcasting industry and their own decreasing consumer base. Now they can join the HITs bandwagon as a distribution platform for WWIL and be a part of the HITs industry from the very roots. Cable operators looking forward to diversify and expand their operations, can undoubtedly make use of this opportunity to take the plunge and secure an edge over other competitors.

Ramesh Jalan Publisher e-mail: rameshkumarjalan@rediffmail.com