Cable digitisation deadline in Chennai extends further

The next court hearing is scheduled for November 19

The deadline for implementation of television digitisation programme at Chennai was extended for the third time today.

The programme was originally planned on October 31, 2012 but got extended since the Madras High Court is hearing a petition filed by the Cable operators and Tamil Nadu Government-run MSO for extension of the deadline.

In the petition, they have said, enough set top boxes are not available in the market to meet the requirement of customers.

On October 31, the Madras High Court given a stay order, extending the deadline for switching to digitisation to November 5.

On November 5, the Court heard Counsels representing Arasu Cable Corporation, I&B Ministry and other DTH operators. During the heated argument, the Counsel representing Arasu Cable Corporation asked for 18 weeks time to supply the boxes from the time of placing order.

The Counsel said, Arasu Cable is negotiating for a good price. From the time of placing the order (which may happen before Diwali), the suppliers are asking for 18 weeks time.

He added, the Corporation doesn't want to burden the public and cable is part of State Government's welfare scheme so we want to get the best price. The entire process cannot be completed within the mandated time of October 31, 2012 and hence it sought extension for the implementation of DAS in Chennai.

Responding to Arasu's appeal, the Counsel representing the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said, “if they (Arasu Cable) commits to the December 31, 2012 as time for implementation, then we will consider to extend the deadline”.

Hearing both the sides, the Court had said the matter will be heard on November 9. During today's hearing, one of the Multi System Operator (MSO) called JAK Communication asked for time to file an affidavit and the Court posted the matter for November 19. It, therefore, means analogue cable connection in Chennai will not get cut till the date of hearing.

The Court also said that the issue involves public interest and shall be considered in a division bench in the next sitting.

Johnson D Kennedy, president of the Association said while around 40 lakh set top boxes are needed, there are only around 1.6 lakh active set top boxes are in the city at present.

Earlier, industry sources said that around 32 lakh households in Chennai may not be able to switch to digital if the Government decision comes into effect from November 1, as scheduled by the Government.

It may be noted I&B Ministry claimed that in Chennai, the Cable homes are showing 61% digitisation and together with DTH, the percentage of digitisation is up to 85%.

The operators earlier said that the Government had used the data which is very old and it was restricted to 200 wards within Chennai Corporation limit, whereas the city was already extended at one side till Sripermbudur and on the north side till Tiruvatiyur. The Government also didn't take the free television sets, which were given by the DMK-led Government, which was ruling the state between 2006 and 2011. The new TV sets alone means 20% increase.