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 [ Images ], Mumbai [ Images ] and Kolkata [ Images ] 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."

What is CAS? What is DTH?