130 MSO (Multi System Operators) across the country have been given a permanent license extending over ten years. The licence to operate DAS has been quiet controversial as some of the operators failed to get it because of a red signal from the home ministry.
The list of MSOs who have been given permission after the last list as on Aug 21 include Skynet Digital Services which will cover states of Uttar Pradesh (excluding cities like Agra, Ghaziabad, Kanpur), Crystal Transmission for Chennai Metropolitan area, Vortex Digital Network for Delhi, Sanghvi Digital Network for Bokaro district in Jharkhand, Yerraguntla Cable Network for Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, Royal Services Diginet Vision has been given permission for Hamirpur District and Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh.
The other lot includes Silverline Entertainment for the state of Uttar Pradesh (except Agra, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut and Varanasi); Datacom for Delhi and Hathway New Concept Cable;ACN Digital for Madhya Pradesh,Maharastra and Rajasthan under Phase III and IV; Koduri Satyanarayana and Sri Sai Star for Khammam District of Telengana; Abhilash Communications for Notified Areas of Phase II and Phase III cities pan India; JPR Channel Mumbai(Phase I) and Phase II areas in Gujarat and Maharashtra;Operator Digital Tamil Nadu for all the cities,towns and villages of Phase II,III and IV in Tamil Nadu;V K Digital Network for Towns/Areas/Cities occuring against Phase I ,Phase II ,Phase III,Phase IV; Saga Entertainment Network In Tamil Nadu; Talacher TV Home Cable Network for Dhenkul District and Angul District; Den Satellite Network in Maharashtra and Venkata Sai Media for district or Srikakulam, Vijaynagaram, Vishakapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and nellore in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The number of MSOs which have been refused permission has gone up from 16 to 22. The IB ministry has listed the dates and the areas for which the MSOs have been given permission.