BACKGROUND
In pursuance of the directions of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court dated July 20, 2006, Conditional Access System (CAS) will come into force with effect from December 31, 2006 in the notified areas of Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. A list of the notified areas is available on Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) website along with the tariff order issued on August 31, 2006.

The Union Government appointed (TRAI) as the official regulator for broadcasting and cable in January 2004.Since then after the Delhi High Court order dated July 20, 2006; TRAI has issued a series of consumer friendly orders; regulations and guidelines to ensure best possible choice to consumers.

SYSTEM
CAS is a system through which one can control the delivery of channels to only those subscribers who demand and pay for such channels. All new emerging delivery platforms like DTH/IPTV use CAS.

WORKING
All free to air (FTA) channels continue to be received as earlier (they will not require a Set Top Box) by paying a monthly rental of Rs.77/- plus taxes. All pay channels to be viewed only through a Set Top Box installed to the TV set by paying at additional amount of Rs.5/- per channel.
Each subscriber will buy his own content. Broadcasters will get paid for the content based on subscription levels.

CONSUMER BENEFITS

• The freedom to choose individual channels
  – Customers may opt out of channels they do not wish to see.
  – Tariffs fixed by TRAI
• Reduction in rates for middle & low income groups
• Common rates for customers in all areas
• After CAS the rate increase by pay channels will be lower
  – A channel that increases its rate very high will get unsubscribed
  – Quality of channels will also increase in order to attract subscription
• New pay channels can be launched without burdening all consumers
• Some pay channels may go free
• Using authorized Set Top Boxes only can a subscriber receive these pay channels

CAS will therefore empower the consumer and provide him with:

• The ability to budget his cable bill
• International Viewing Experience
  – DVD quality picture, Stereo sound
  – Electronic Programming Guide at no extra cost
  – Parental lock facility
  – Interactive Gamming
  – Expanded channel capacity
  – Consistent picture quality across all channels
  – And future products like pay -per-view.

SET TOP BOX (STB) SCHEMES

	Rental schemes		Outright
	Scheme 1	Scheme 2
Refundable deposit	Rs.999	Rs.250
			Rs.2000
Monthly rent	Rs.30	Rs.45
Max period for rent	5 yrs	5 yrs
Activation charges	nil	nil	nil
Installation charges	nil	nil	nil
Repair charges (upto 5 yrs)	nil	nil	nil
Deduction pm fm refundable deposit	Rs.12.50	Rs.3

Quality of Services

• Itemized bill and receipt on monthly basis
• Connection within 2 days of completing formalities or rebate of Rs.15 per day for first 5 days and thereafter Rs.10 per day
• Complaints to be responded within 8 hours
• Billing complaints – max 7 days