(29 September 2006 2:25 pm)

MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has directed multi-system operators (MSOs) to report the progressive steps they have taken towards implementation of conditional access system (Cas) on a fortnightly basis.

The first such report will have to be furnished for the fortnight ending 15 October, Trai said in an official release today.

The sector regulator wants to monitor the progress made by the cable TV service providers for implementing CAS. By calling for such reports, Trai will be able to assess the state of preparedness of MSOs to switch over to transmission of pay channels through the addressable system in the CAS areas. The format of the reporting structure is available on Trai's website.

Trai had earlier issued regulation specifying standards of quality of service to be observed by the MSOs/cable operators in CAS notified areas of Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.