Consumer groups and bodies have demanded Conditional Access System be implemented beyond the four metros where it is scheduled to be rolled out and said there should be a "complete ban" on advertising on pay channels.
"The roll-out of CAS in the notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata should be followed by other regions and cities," representatives of consumer groups like National Consumer Helpline, Voice and CUTS have demanded.
"The Rs 5 ceiling is also high and we want this to further come down to a Re 1, the price consumers pay in Pakistan for pay channels," S K Virmani NCH said adding, "Why should the consumer be saddled with advertisements when he is already paying to view a channel. Commercial slots should be allowed only on free-to-air channels."
Demanding the expansion of CAS to other areas as well, he said TRAI should ensure that prices are not increased in non-CAS areas in the intervening period.
S N Aggarwal, head of the Delhi-based consumer organisation Voice, also demanded that CAS should be extended to areas outside the originally scheduled.
"CAS is currently meant only for the metros. But this is only a small portion of the 68 million cable homes and, therefore, should be extended to other areas as well."
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