The conditional access system, or CAS, will keep its date with Delhi despite attempts to stall its implementation.
In its orders on two separate CAS related petitions, the Delhi High Court has said there will be no stay on implementation of CAS, postponing hearing on the two petitions to January 10.
Speaking to Business Standard, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Chairman Nripendra Misra said, "We are only implementing the court's order. What happened in the high court and TDSAT today only confirms that things will proceed as planned."
One of the petitions was by an NGO called Shakti, which claimed that CAS should be postponed in Delhi since the Multi-System Operators were not ready to implement it. The court said there would be no stay on CAS implementation, as sought by Shakti, though the matter would be heard next month.
The second challenge came from by Delhi-based MSO Star Broadband. The company's promoter said CAS implementation must be postponed as his company was not ready to offer the service.
The high court said the other MSOs could go ahead and meet the CAS deadline. Star Broadband will be given a hearing in January.
In a separate development, the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) reserved its judgment on appeals by SET-Discovery and ESPN.
The appeals were against distribution margins decided between MSOs and broadcasters.
Though the arguments were completed, TDSAT reserved its judgement, adding that this should not be read as a stay on CAS.
Cable operators and MSOs in the city were happy with today's developments.
Cable Operators Federation of India's president Roop Sharma said: "These are landmark judgments. They were needed in consumer interest. With CAS now ensured from December 31, those who wish to see only free-to-air channels can do so. Affluent consumers can buy a set top box."
Cable operators said CAS was essential for the cable industry to provide a level playing field with DTH and IPTV operators, that could offer value-added services through their boxes.
Added an executive of a top MSO, "Let the consumer choose between DTH and CAS and pay for the channels he wants to see."
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