The cable law has been amended to make it obligatory for multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) to furnish accurate and timely information when sought by the Government. Failure to do so could lead to revocation or suspension of license.
The obligation has been incorporated as one of the terms and conditions of registration of cable operators and multi-system operators. This is part of the Government’s move to speed up digitisation across the country.
Incorrect data
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting decided to insert the new clause, after it found that some service providers had submitted incorrect information about the available inventory of set top boxes and their deployment.
“In the Cable Television Network Rule, 1995 (Second Amendment) Rule, 2012, rule 10A has been inserted making it mandatory for MSOs and cable operators to provide information as and when it is sought for by the Central Government or State Government or authorised officer,” the Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
In the past, the Government had asked service providers to submit detailed plans about the number of set-top boxes that they had installed and ordered. Based on this information, it will now issue warnings to service providers who are lagging the digitisation schedule and ensure that the extended deadline for digitisation is met.