Connected TV is the future of Digital Cable

Internet Connected TV or TV with  Web2.0  features is a technology that uses cable as well as Cat 5 cable (Ethernet connection) to connect with the set-top-box. For Example a Smart TV device is either a television set with integrated Internet cap abilities or a set-top box for television that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic television set. Smart TVs may be thought of as an information appliance or handheld computer integrated within a television set unit, as such smart TV often allows the user to install and run more advanced applications or plugins/addons based on a specific platform. Smart TVs run complete operating system or mobile operating system software providing a platform for application developer.

February 2013

1/2/13 -- Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) went digital. Four of the prime MSOs (multi-system operators) in KMA -- Siticable, Manthan, Kolkata Cable & Broadband Parisheba Ltd (KCBPL) and DEN all hit the airwaves with channels in the digitalised mode.

Insecurity increases amongst LCOs

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is confident of meeting the 31st March 2013 deadline of digitization in 38 cities across the country. The second phase of digitization covers the one million plus cities across the country. The four metros – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai were part of the first phase of digitization which was declared successful on 31 October 2012. I&B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma has already been announcing that second phase will be completed in time and is progressing very smoothly.

Why only Courts decide our Regulations

It is strange that in spite of TRAI's detailed consultations with industry since 2004 and numerous recommendations, the industry has been lead to the present situation where some basic provisions made by TRAI are being questioned in the court rooms before even properly implementing them. Stake holders have been giving enough information to TRAI on functioning of the industry in their replies to the many consultation papers issued so far but hardly any practical solutions have been found to regulate the industry. 

TRAI's latest consultation on some interconnect issues has come up only after TDSAT declared some of the provisions in the DAS Regulations as 'bad in law.' It reminds me of the CAS law when its implementation was deferred in 2003 and handed over to TRAI for examination and further action. That time too TRAI did not do anything except carry out consultations and ultimately MSOs had to go to the Courts to start its implementation.