The conditional access system of satellite television will be rolled out completely in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in the next 280 days.
The government has called a meeting of broadcasters, multi-system operators and cable network operators on Friday to thrash out the rollout plan.
According to government sources, there is a broad consensus amongst the various stakeholders on the rollout. The information and broadcasting ministry has to file a concrete plan before the Delhi high court, which had set a deadline of April 10 for the rollout process to begin.
According to the government's plan, there will be a 15-day period for generating consumer awareness and deployment of set-top boxes by cable operators. For broadcasters, this will facilitate carrying out promotional campaigns and working out the prices of various channels.
Each city will be divided into four zones for the purpose, according to the sources. The rollout will not be simultaneous, as the zones will be taken up for the rollout one at a time.
These zones will be chalked out in consultation with local governments and residence welfare associations. Local cable operators want the government to stop giving permission to companies to start competing for television channel distribution systems till a final word on the CAS is out.Do you want to discuss stock tips? Do you know a hot one? Join the Stock Market Investments Discussion Group