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On the other hand, Tata Sky and technology
company NDS (controlled by Rupert Murdoch)
have said that “interoperability is not
feasible on high end devices” like DVRs.
“The
technical specifications vary with the (DVR)
models that are introduced and these were
not envisaged when BIS (Bureau of Indian
Standards) drew up STB specifications,”
Tata Sky has said in its submission to the
regulator.
ASC
Enterprises has counter-punched by saying
that existing clauses on interoperability
of boxes protect the “consumer interests
by ensuring they switch over their service
providers for the basic functionality of
watching the broadcast channels as per their
option and choice.”
If
that was not enough, Tata Sky and residents’
welfare associations (RWAs) have come out
in support of multi-dwelling unit (MDU)
technology, which has been strongly opposed
by all sections of the cable industry, including
Cable Operators’ Federation of India
(COFI), which feels cable ops stand to become
redundant.
MDU
technology, being tested by Tata Sky for
its proposed DTH service in a few cities,
envisages making available a DTH service
to multiple homes through a common dish
antenna, but separate set-top boxes.
The
technology is being touted by its supporters
as cost effective for consumers and as a
safeguard for “aesthetic” senses
in concrete jungles that Indian cities are
turning into.
Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had
asked for comments on various issues related
to DTH, including whether certain clauses
in the DTH guidelines need to be amended
to exclude DVRs from being interoperable.
Fifteen
individuals/organizations, including a clutch
of RWAs, have submitted their feedback,
baring the fact there isn’t consensus
on matters like DVRs and MDU technology,
which have the potential of changing the
way people consume television fare in India.
Even
a company like Anil Ambani’s Reliance
Infocomm, whose DTH license application
hasn’t been processed by the government,
feels that DVRs should be kept interoperable.
“The
clauses 7.1 & 7.2 of DTH license conditions
need not be amended to exclude digital video
recorders. All set top boxes whether simple
STB or personal video recorder/ DVR-enabled
set top boxes should be interoperable,”
Reliance has stated
The
full text of feedback, peppered with technical
jargons and occasional innuendoes hitting
at opponents, can be seen on the regulator’s
website, www.trai.gov.in.
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