Six major multi-system operators on Wednesday resented any move to scrap conditional access system in favour of - TRAP - a new system saying it was being promoted by vested parties both broadcasters and telecom operators.
Even as telecom regulator TRAI is yet to submit its recommendations on the fate of CAS, the operators alleged that the new system was outdated and could be hacked, Ashok Mansukani, president of multi system operators told PTI.
When contacted TRAI officials confirmed that they were looking at the new system called TRAP and "only after considering all pros and cons of both CAS and TRAP, we will take a final decision."
Mansukhani claimed that "there seems to be a consensus in TRAI on doing away with CAS and replacing it with a TRAP system, which will either let a subscriber view the entire gamut of pay channels or have all blocked through a trap."
He said the alliance would submit a memorandum to TRAI on the issue in a day or two, expressing displeasure against the TRAP system.
The MSO alliance comprises six major operators including IndusInd Media and Communication (which Mansukhani represents), Hathway, Siticable, Sumangali Cable Vision and RPG.
Together they represent around 40 per cent of the estimated 50-million-strong Indian cable and satellite homes, he said adding they were also in touch with other operators on the issue.
"TRAP is there in the rural areas of the US and Canada. Against the new digital technology, it is an analog system, which can be easily hacked, cannot offer new facilities like video/movies on demand as well as Iinternet and will make useless the estimated Rs 800 crore (Rs 8 billion) investment of the cable operators in procuring set-top boxes and CAS technology," Mansukhani said.
Admitting that TRAP had its share of drawbacks, particularly on the addressability and piracy, the TRAI official said nevertheless it was a system, which was being considered as part of the process to draft recommendations on CAS.
Mansukhani alleged that support to TRAP was coming from "broadcasters who are looking into the DTH business or want to hide their TRP figures and from telecom operators wanting to enter the cable business."
Asked whether the MSOs would accept a scenario where CAS would be implemented but on a voluntary basis, co-existing with other alternatives like DTH, he said, "It is not possible."
"Voluntary CAS is a misnomer and totally defeats the purpose. If the government decides to do away with CAS, it should compensate us for the expenditure we have made for getting the technology and STBs," he said.
The TRAP system was introduced in Thiruvananthapuram by Asianet about three years back where the results were not very encouraging, he added.
TRAI, which has conducted open house sessions in various metros to elicit views on CAS from various stakeholders like consumers, MSOs, cable operators and broadcasters, is expected to submit its report to the government by the middle of July.
