Select a CAS carefully

1.Basic consideration for selecting a CAS : Selecting a basic CAS that can be upgraded later requires a detailed discussion. This may also depend on network to network. As a general thumb rule, the trend that is widely adopted by many Cable operators in India as follows:

Experience of the CAS vendor : History of hacking, deployment in different kinds of networks, support of simulcrypt, acceptability by major content providers and its operation on one way DVB network are some of the experiences that must be considered.

Subscriber Management System (SMS) - Integral Part of Digitalization

In today's Digital era where Companies are offering subscriber based services such as Pay TV (Video), Internet Services (Data), IP Telephony (Voice) etc., All these services should be managed in a professional and prompt approach to fulfill all the subscribers' requirements. This may involve responding to customer requests for New Connection activation, New Bouquet / channel requisitions, altering subscription packages, handling promotional plans, Generation of bills & receipts, providing subscriber history data, Connection De-activations or for General Technical issues while ensuring that all the processes are well organized. 

Video on Demand Money bag for the MSOs

Video on demand (VOD) is system which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand. IPTV technology is often used to bring video on demand to televisions and personal computers. Catch up TV is the latest form of video on demand. The technology is also used a value addition by Cable Operators. 

Simple to deploy and monetize is the key

Rahul Nehra

CMO and Global Head Sales, Exset, UK

A Week of Fulfilling Business Exchange

International companies exhibiting and speaking at this year’s edition of CommunicAsia2013, EnterpriseIT2013 and BroadcastAsia2013 have seen strong traction amongst attendees. The shows were held in Singapore from 18-21 June, 2013.

DVB-Simulcrypt Enabling multiple CAS on the same network

Simulcrypt is a DVB protocol published by ETSI for use in broadcast TV head-ends to enable multiple Conditional Access systems to co-exist in the same network at the same time. The standard also defines the interface between conditional access systems and head-end multiplexing components.

Monetize Your Services Choose the right SMS system to reduce churn and increase ARPUs

Indian television industry is going through a transformation. Impending Analogue Switch off and New Media like OTT present an immense opportunity and challenge. PayTV operators should also address the changing consumer and regulatory demands  of varied content, better quality, improved service qualities etc; all at economical price points. 

No end to Digital Cable Woes

After having failed to pressurize MSOs and LCOs, TRAI is now trying to pressurize the consumers threatening to cut off their cable connections if they don’t submit their consumer application forms (CAF) to their respective cable operators / MSOs. 25 June was the last date of the warning to 9-10 million subscribers whose forms have not been submitted yet. Now TRAI has extended the last date of CAF submission to 10th July. I&B Ministry’s threatening television campaign in which a group of TV serial actresses ask subscribers to fill up these form with their choice of channels and submit to the MSOs or else lose their television connections has also had little effect on the consumers. Earlier, notices were given to MSOs and LCOs by TRAI and in spite of some MSOs having assured TRAI of timely compliance, not much could be achieved. Eight months have passed after declaration of successful completion of Phase-I by the I&B Ministry and hardly 50% CAF forms have been submitted. According to market sources only a single package with some popular channels has been activated for all consumers irrespective of what choice has been given by them. 

One billion pay TV subscribers by 2018

Global pay TV households will reach nearly 1 billion by 2018, up from 772 million in 2012 and 814 million in 2013. According to the Digital TV World Household Forecasts report, the Asia Pacific region will contribute 59% (587 million) of the global total by 2018. Based on forecasts for 97 countries by Digital TV Research, China will have the most pay TV subs, at 313 million by end-2018, followed by 158 million in India and 107 million in the US. These three countries will account for 58% of global pay TV households by 2018. 

Do not encourage superstition and blind faith I&B Ministry tells all TV channels

Babas and Gurus are under the I&B scanner now. Ministry on 07 June 2013 gave 15 days time to stop all programmes which encourage supenstition and blind belief.

Digitisation Fails to Woo Foreign Broadcasters

India is going through a rough patch in its economy these days. Rupee has miserably come down to a low level of Rs 60 a Dollar, Industrial output has come down, foreign investments are coming down as no one seems to be interested in investing in India.  Numerous large scale scams in the country have lowered the credibility of the UPA government, although it is still trying to show a brave face. Any way keeping in mind the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, government is doing its best to keep the confidence up. Government is looking at increasing the FDI caps in some sectors including broadcasting to cover-up the current account deficit which is piling up to a dangerous level. A committee headed by Secy Economic Affairs, Arvind Mayaram has given its recommendations and now ministries are to give their views. The Arvind Mayaram panel had suggested raising the foreign investment limit from 26 percent to 49 percent in print media, FM Radio, uplinking news and current affairs channels and 100 percent in broadcasting carriage services and printing of specialized magazines and facsimile editions of foreign newspapers. Consequently the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) held a meeting on June 29, 2013 in New Delhi with industry stakeholders. The meeting attended by MIB officials and many stakeholders from print, radios and TV debated on the proposal of the Ministry of Finance regarding revision of FDI caps in various segments in broadcasting and print sector. It was not a surprise that the Industry was divided on the issue. While some people were strongly in favour of raising the cap, certain other sections were equally strongly opposed to the idea. Whereas DTH players, News broadcasters and foreign broadcasters wanted more of FDI regional channels and even some DTH operators opposed the move. Now stakeholders will be sending their views on this issue in writing to the ministry so that it could finalise its proposal suggested by the stakeholders on raising the FDI caps in various sectors of broadcasting.

Choosing the right Middleware

STB Middleware provides a common framework for operator branded UI and feature implementation for a given operator network. This article delves into middleware basics and recommends basic minimum feature and functional requirement for a cost effective middleware solution.

Seamless Integration is the most important

Nagravision a renowned company providing content security and multiscreen user experience solutions for the monetisation of digital India. Hitesh Lokhandwala, General Manager India, Nagravision tells us what essential features a CAS and SMS system must have.

July 2013

01/7/13 -- Bimal Julka, IAS assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

Consumers are still reluctant to comply by government orders

Last month saw a great tragedy strike the Uttrakhand Hills where thousands died or went missing. Road communications have been badly hit and some of the villages have been completely washed out. We at Cable Quest express our deep sympathies with all who suffered and pray for peace to the departed souls.

This month’s issue focuses on Conditional Address System, SMS and Billing. We have procured very useful information for our readers on the subject from many renowned companies. All Digital networks must have these systems as per the regulations. We have tried to provide information that would particularly prove very beneficial to independent MSOs and cable operators.