(16 April 2008 8:00 pm)

NEW DELHI: The government is in agreement with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) that conditional access system (Cas) should be made mandatory for television viewers in all the four metros.

The government is currently reviewing the implementation of the system in full in Chennai and in part in notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, Information and Broadcasting minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told Parliament today.

The central government is in favour of speeding up the process of digitalization and introduction of addressability by extending the Cas notified areas. The government also wants it to be done in a manner which adequately protects consumer interest and leads to his empowerment. The details of further extension are being finalized. No time limits can be given on such policy issues, the minister said in reply to a question.

The government is also studying a report sent by Trai of the Group of members from different segments of the broadcasting and cable sector to suggest options and roadmap for voluntary introduction of Cas and digitalization in cable television in the country on voluntary-cum-mandatory basis.

The Group has recommended a voluntary-cum-mandatory approach to introduction of Cas in 55 cities which include all the cities with a million plus population, some cities located in the proximity of the cities to the existing Cas and also all the State capitals which could not come under any of these criteria.