Soon, a broadband Internet connection is all one may need to get the much-needed respite from the cable operator.
The government is working on allowing broadcasters to directly reach subscribers through broadband networks of telecom firms.
Following a proposal from the department of telecommunications, the information and broadcasting ministry was framing guidelines to bring broadcasters and telecom firms on a common platform, DoT officials said.
They added that the framework will include guidelines for infrastructure sharing in addition to working out a revenue-sharing mechanism between broadcasters and telecom operators.
When contacted, officials in the I&B ministry confirmed that a policy of this nature is being considered.
The move comes at a time when the I&B ministry is contemplating re-introducing the controversial conditional access system in a new format.
If accepted, the new system will mean another modem to connect the broadband cable directly to a television set. Idea Chief Executive Vikram Mehmi said with this, the quality of service was also expected to improve.
Roop Sharma, president of the Cable operators Association of India, said the move will support some large telecom players and eliminate cable operators.
In some European countries and in the US, cable TV is already available through broadband connections.
As a first step before the convergence of voice, data, broadband and cable television, the DoT has told the I&B ministry that the cable industry, which had over 55 million subscribers, must be brought under a regulatory framework.
DoT officials also said a common interface for all services was likely to be permitted under a new telecom policy, expected early next year.
For telecom service providers, sharing the platform with broadcasters will create new sources of revenue. The DoT is of the opinion that the move will would result in higher broadband penetration.
The department recently faced severe criticism over India being unlikely to cross even the 1-million broadband connection mark, against a target of 3 million connections by the end of the month.
Additionally, the DoT has proposed that stand-alone infrastructure providers be permitted to set up operations in the country without they being made to pay entry and licence fees.
It has also recommended that they be allowed to lease networks to any operator. This may result in TV channels being allowed to use these networks to reach subscribers directly.
