"Multi-System Operator ( MSO )" means a cable operator who receives a programming service from a broadcaster and/or his authorized agencies and re-transmits the same or transmits his own programming service for simultaneous reception either by multiple subscribers directly or through one or more local cable operators (LCOs), and includes his authorized distribution agencies by whatever name called.

A smart card or a viewing card essentially functions like an ATM Card and comes along with the Set Top Box and allows the signals of only those channels to be seen which the subscriber has contracted to pay for a particular period.

No. Digital Cable TV is not affected by rainy weather unlike the DTH service.

Digital Addressable System (DAS) is a description normally used for a set of hardware devices and connected software used at different stages of distribution of a TV channels through which the channels are transmitted in encrypted form. It contains the following attributes:

•  The subscriber is given an authorization depending upon his request to view one or more of such encrypted channels of his choice.

•  The subscriber will pay for those channels which he or she has chosen to view in such a system.

•  The authorization is given and controlled by the Multi System Operator (MSO) who owns the DAS in a Cable Television Network. In this, he is often assisted by the Local Cable Operator.

•  "Addressable system" signifies that a subscriber is identifiable.

•  The Multi System Operator and the broadcaster will know the exact number of subscribers of a channel or a bouquet of channels and the amount that is due from that subscriber.

"Set top box"(STB) is a device, which is connected to a television set at the subscribers’ premises and which allows a subscriber to view encrypted channels of his choice on payment. The basic function of the Set Top Box is to decrypt/decode the signals of those channels which the subscriber has been authorized by the multi system operator to receive and to convert the digital signals into analogue mode for viewing on television sets..

The state of art digital technology will make available enhanced picture and sound quality, large no. of channels and value added services like movies on demand, broadband, games, pay per view, HD etc. The digital cable TV service will be available through a Set Top Box.

Introduction of addressable systems requires large investments in equipment such as Headend, encryption, Subscriber management system and set top boxes. This level of investment cannot be done by the local cable operator. Hence an MSO sets the platform to receive signals from the broadcasters, adapts it to provide for addressability, keeps the consumer database, ensures compliance of quality of service and other regulations of TRAI and through Local cable operators or in some cases directly provides channels to subscribers. Thus the local cable operator is supposed to enter into an agreement with one of the permitted MSOs.(As per TRAI guidelines)

No. Since in DAS subscriber is addressable, a subscriber has to only intimate the change in package to the multi system operator directly or through the Cable Operator, the multi system operator can change the privileges attached to the viewing card or smart card attached to the Set Top Box.

Yes. As both free to air and pay channels shall have to be carried in digital domain in encrypted format, both shall be receivable with the same Set Top Box.

YES. In case if a subscriber does not subscribe to any pay channels and wants to view only FTA channels, he must have a set top box attached to his television set as all the FTA channels will be transmitted from Headend in digital mode with encryption because of mandatory digitalization.

A subscriber can get a Set Top Box as mentioned below:

•  A subscriber has to buy on outright basis the set top box from the Multi system operator.

•  A subscriber can also get a Set Top Box against a security amount paid to Multi System operator or Cable operator.

A subscriber has to contact the Local cable Operator and make an application in a format prescribed by the multi system operator /Cable operator and comply with the formalities as required in the application to get a set top box.

"Bouquet" and "A-la-carte" can be explained as:

•  "Bouquet" or "Bouquet of channels" means an assortment of distinct channels, offered together as a group or a bundle."Bouquet rate" means the rate at which a bouquet of channels is offered to the distributor of TV channels or to the subscriber.

•  "A-la carte" with reference to offering a TV channels means offering the channel individually on a standalone basis and "A-la-carte rate" means the rate at which a standalone individual channel is offered to a distributor of TV channels or to the subscriber.

"Basic service tier" means a package of free-to-air channels provided by a multi system operator /cable operator which can be viewed with a Set Top Box (Because of Digitalization) attached to the television set.

There will be a Basic Service Tier (BST) consisting of a minimum of 100 free-to air (FTA) channels comprising of at least 5 channels of each genre namely news and current affairs, infotainment, sports, kids, music, lifestyle, movies and general entertainment in Hindi, English and regional language of the concerned region. 18 channels of Public Broadcaster and Lok Sabha channel will also form the part of the BST. While Multi-system Operator (MSO) has to offer the Basic Service Tier, it is not obligatory for subscriber to subscribe to the BST. Instead subscriber can form his own package of a maximum of 100 FTA channels. In either case the MSO cannot charge the subscriber more than Rs. 100/- per month plus taxes.