Acknowledging the resurging need of a licensing framework for the Indian Cable TV services, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today issued its final recommendations on restructuring of Cable TV Services to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The recommendations according to TRAI, will catapult India to a leading position with large share of digital transmission of entertainment content.

With the advancing technology, operators running TV networks based on advance distribution technologies like Direct to Home (DTH), Headend in the Sky (HITS), Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), may pose competition to conventional cable TV, and therefore breeding need for an upgradation.

The recommendations released are in line with the consultation paper floated on restructuring of cable TV services as on 4th March, 2008, seeking for a long term stable, organized and supportive licensing framework to encourage innovation & investments in the sector.

The regulator said the digital upgradation of the Cable TV network should be carried out within five years. Trai has recommended the need for network digitization and voluntary CAS. It has demanded for a separate licensing framework for Cable TV operators (LCOs) and Multi System Operators (MSOs), with separate entry fee at the District, State and Country levels. The Authority also recommends a 50 percent slash in entry fee in J&K and North Eastern states.