Trai Set-Top Box Interoperability Now Opposed by Cable TV Operators After DTH Companies

One of the prime things of focus for the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) this year has been the issue of Set-Top Box Interoperability. The telecom regulator has floated consultation paper earlier this year to garner the views of industry stakeholders on the technology and implementation of interoperable Set-Top Box. However, in this paper, Trai’s views have not exactly been met with affirmation. Instead, the DTH operator opposed the Set-Top Box interoperability technology, and it seems that the cable TV operators might also be joining in unison. In a new update, the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has requested that Trai first solve the primary concerns related to Set-Top Box interoperability before moving ahead to make any final decisions. AIDCF has remarked, that there are foundational issues with Set-Top Box interoperability which must be solved before deciding on anything. These issued include solution architecture, framework, CAS and SMS registration, security standards, standardising middleware software, collection, and control mechanism of STBs.

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Cable TV Operators Against Interoperability

AIDCF also went ahead to say, “We, therefore request Authority to hold the present consultation paper.” The digital cable federation also noted that the combination of compression, encryption, middleware, Conditional Access System (CAS), and EPG is what makes the Set-Top Box capable of delivering the current set of features. As such, any Set-Top Box cannot be 100% interoperable with the same features and services. AIDCF also put forth the thought that the differentiating things that set apart the DPOs offering are based on the Set-Top Box only. The service delivery and the features and services which truly set apart the DPO from the competition are built into the Set-Top Box. This is what drives the value proposition for the customers. Thus by bringing interoperable Set-Top Boxes, the DPOs will be devoid of giving additional interactive services.