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An IETE Apex Forum meeting on "Conditional Access System" was held on Saturday the 07 June 2003 at IETE HQ, New Delhi. Conditional Access System (CAS) in its present form is so complex that most people do not understand what all it involves. The problem raised its head with the introduction of pay channels, which resulted in higher monthly cable bills for the householders, even if they do not wish to view these channels. The viewers therefore wanted some system whereby they should pay for what they view. However, the introduction of CAS in its present form is not going to solve this problem as most likely a viewer is going to end up paying more inspite of getting lesser number of channels to view. Like-wise broadcasters are also doubtful whether with the CAS reporting of actual number of subscriber would improve. The salient points around which discussions was held are as under:-

Fixing the Per Channel Tariff of Pay Channel viewed by a subscriber and he is not forced to pay for the entire Bouquet of channels offered

Identifying an approved Technology for the Set Top Box so that after introduction one type Technology is used for all the STBs in the entire country and does not have to change the box when he changes residence or changes a Cable operator

Ensure built in safeguards in the regulatory mechanism against blackout of channels at the discretion of MSO/Cable operators

The Forum meeting started with a welcome address by Shri P N Chopra, Convener of IETE Apex Forum, where he highlighted the subject of conditional Access System, and brought out the need for establishment of a regulatory authority in the Broadcast arena before implementation of CAS .He further suggested for discussion the need for promotion of the indigenous technology for the Set Top Box like the effort of C-DAC where they have designed a Set Top box and are ready for production by the country’s hardware Industry .He further mentioned the effort of BSNL and other Basic telecom service providers who are ready with with DSL approach for distribution of Cable TV signal. He suggested the forum to consider all the new innovations like DTH, HIT etc before CAS is introduced

Prof K K Aggarwal President IETE inaugurated the Forum meeting. There was a panel of experts consisting of Dr N Bhaskar Rao of Center for Media Studies, Col V C Khare, Col K K Sharma , Dr Mahesh Uppal , Shri D K Jain of C-DAC , Shri Rakesh Kumar of BSNL ,Shri Jawahar Goel of SitiCable. Some of the Salient points of the presentation by the experts are given below:-

When DTH and DSL are on the way, why should a consumer be compelled to have CAS technology?
What is the expected Life Cycle of the Set Top Box?
Why should India be forced to import STBs when sufficient know-how exists to manufacture it?
Anyway, it’s a simple assembly-type operation.
Why this tearing hurry?

Shri V.C. Khare, Consultant
Earlier satellite broadcast receiver used to cost Rs 35,000; now it’s Rs 3,000.
User thinks cable-operator is hiking charges; actually, Cable operator today is being arm-twisted by the broadcast companies.
Cable-operators used to under-report the subscriber base to reduce their payouts to Broadcast companies; from 1995 to 2003, this margin gradually eroded.
Audit of CTV network once a month needed

Dr N. Bhaskar Rao, CFMS
What government could not achieve, cable TV did: now it’s poised to penetrate rural India.
Lack of Communication Policy is hurting growth of the industry: 30-40% of the population is not served by any kind of media.
Convergence Bill has not yet seen the light of the day.
· Unique experiments like SITE not taken to their logical conclusion.
CAS will add to the digital divide in the country.
CAS is the outcome of vengeance: why should a minister intervene? Why should Prime Minister of a country have to spend time on this? We need to discuss more important issues.
The Cable TV Act has been used more for the negative purpose than growth of the industry.

Shri Rakesh Kumar, BSNL
The extensive infrastructure in the form of buried copper can be used to bring broadband to the Indian subscribers
Franchisees can partner with BSNL
2-3 years down the line, telephone will become a major carrier for broadband.
BSNL is actively working on the scheme and have even asked EOI for desirous parties to for joining BSNL in this effort

Shri DK Jain, C-DAC

C-DAC has innovated a set Top Box for the Cable TV system and the design is ready for productionisation by the local hardware Industry The concept cannot only help the country’s industry but will also will be a national effort It also require similar duty concessions for its components which are afforded to the imported STB to make it competitive.

Dr. Mahesh Uppal, Telecom Consultant
Cable-TV Infrastructure can be a monopoly but services can be decentralized: this will take care of Quality of Service issues.
Any regulator that is focused on technology is doomed for failure: Aim of the regulator is to develop a market in that segment by ensuring fair competition with the incumbent
Massive fleecing of operators by broadcasters can be addressed by appointing a Regulator.

This is the best time to buy Set-Top Boxes as the worldwide recession has made them available at rock-bottom price of ~ $50 per piece.
Cable TV infrastructure is a natural monopoly like electricity, roads, airports; replicating this infrastructure does not make economic sense.
Cable Operators have created a vast subscriber base: So far they were worried about security of their own business now the industry has matured and greater attention is being paid to issues related to users. In days to come, quality of viewing will improve while number of channels available will also rise.
Broadcasters were against implementing CAS due to their own reasons, but with this consumer will get a wider choice of many more channels. CAS is the sign of maturing of the Indian market.We have started broadband Internet in Bangalore, which has customers like Intel.
· His organization is working on the interactive cable system where by it will be possible to introduce Pay per View concept.

Training and education for technicians for the Cable TV industry is the weakest link for the industry. This is best done thru it is and not IETE.