Kolkata cable operators seek more time for subscriber details

Three days after the expiry of the extended deadline set by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for submitting filled consumer application forms, Kolkata's cable operators Monday sought more time saying only 10-20 percent subscribers have responded.

The extended deadline of Aug 23 was given a firm thumbs-down by cable service providers and multi-system operators, who also warned TRAI that any black-out of signals would only trigger "chaos".

"Only 10-20 percent of the consumers have returned the filled-up forms," Swapan Chowdhury, convener of the Cable Operators Digitalisation Committee of the Association of Cable Operators in the city, told IANS.

"We have always sought for extension as the time frame set is too less. And if we black-out their connections, about 80 percent of our subscriber base will be suffering. This will inevitably lead to a chaotic situation here," he said.

Chowdhury highlighted the glaring discrepancy between the TRAI mandate and the ground realities in the city.

"It is one thing to say from New Delhi but here the ground realities are different. We will have to face customers' wrath if we cut connections," he said.

Bibhas Nag of Sristi Cable said services have been snapped in a few places only.

"The process is going on," said Nag.

As earlier,operators rued the lack of campaigning by TRAI to bring about customer awareness.

"They started advertising only in the last two to three days. This is not enough. An elaborate government level campaigning is needed. Subscribers have a world of queries about the new system... who will answer them," asked Chowdhury.