Cable digitisation deadline further extends in Chennai

The deadline for implementing television digitisation in Chennai has been extended for the third time.

The programme was originally planned on October 31, 2012, but had been extended since the Madras High Court is hearing a petition filed by cable operators and the Tamil Nadu government-run MSO seeking extension of the deadline.

The petition stated enough set top boxes were not available in the market to meet the requirement of customers. The Centre decision to implement digitisation in metros had to come into effect from November 1.

On October 31, the high court gave a stay extending the deadline for switching to digitisation to November 5. The court heard the counsels of Arasu Cable Corporation, I&B Ministry and other DTH operators on Nov 5.

During the argument, the counsel of Arasu Cable sought 18 weeks to supply the boxes from the time of placing the order. He said Arasu was negotiating for a good price from the time of placing the order (which may happen before Diwali).

Responding to Arasu's appeal, the I&B counsel said “if they (Arasu Cable) commit December 31, 2012, as time for implementation, then we will consider to extend the deadline.”

After hearing both the sides, the court decided to post the matter to November 9 but as multisystem operator JAK Communication sought time to file an affidavit, the court posted the matter for November 19. It also said the issue involved public interest and should be considered by a division bench in the next sitting.

Johnson D Kennedy, president of the Association, said while around 4 million set top boxes were needed, only around 160,000 active set top boxes were in the city at present.

The I&B ministry had claimed that in Chennai, Cable homes were showing 61 per cent digitisation and together with DTH, the percentage goes up to 85 per cent.

The operators earlier said the Government had used the data, which was very old and restricted to 200 wards within the Chennai corporation limit, whereas the city has already been extended at one side till Sripermbudur and on the north side till Tiruvatiyur.