'No decision on to extend CAS to more cities'

New Delhi, Mar 14: The government today said it had not taken any decision so far on extension of Conditional Access System (CAS) scheme, which had become functional in the notified areas of four metros of Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai, to more cities.

However, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had been asked to provide its comments on extension of CAS in Zone-II areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, it said.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said TRAI would provide its comments on the basis of success of the CAS scheme in the areas where it was currently under implementaion.

On July 31 last year, the government had issued two notifications regarding areas covered under the CAS scheme and Cable TV Networks Rules for CAS areas. These rules also pertain to installation of Set Top Boxes (STBs).

The minister said the government had implemented the revised CAS scheme after holding consultations with various stakeholders -- broadcasters, Multi System Operators, cable operators and TRAI.

To a questioner, he said total monthly charges for viewing Cable TV through CAS would be dependent on the individual choice and scheme of STB and number of pay channels chosen by a particular consumer.

The charges to be paid in CAS notified areas for receiving TV channels through cable network have been prescribed in the TRAI's Tariff Order of August 31, 2006.

The minister denied that millions of poor families would be deprived of entertainment as a result of CAS implementation.

For cable TV in non-CAS areas, he said provisions of Tariff Order (October 1, 2004) are applicable. The main feature of this tariff order is that price payable by a subscriber is the same which prevailed on December 26, 2003, with a subsequent enhancement of seven per cent.

''If there are any additional pay channels being provided by the service providers after December 26, 2003, then there is a provision for increase in subscription charges,'' he clarified.

UNI