Broadcast regulator TRAI plans to make digital boxes inter-operable by the end of this year. This will give freedom to millions of customers to change their operator at no cost in case of deficient services.
Due to the stiff resistance from DTH operators and cable service providers, the issue of inter-operability has been a difficult one for TRAI to implement. Content distribution companies have often argued that such flexibility is difficult to introduce as every operator’s STB is encrypted, and any attempt to break into it will lead to chances of piracy and plagiarism.
Industry officials say that every box has a different software and configuration, and thus cannot be used for the services of a different company.
TRAI chairman RS Sharma, says that instead of loading proprietary software, the boxes should have a method which would allow downloading of software post purchase. Thereafter, whosoever is the service provider may load his software on the box. TRAI is already working with government agencies as well as outside consultants to work out a solution.
Today there are over 160 million pay-TV subscribers across the country, and most are locked with their service provider after buying the company’s STB. Inter-operability has meant that many face difficulty in moving out as they would again need to invest in a new STB while finding no way to dispose the existing one.
Industry officials have expressed doubts about TRAI’s exercise and asked what would be the future of the existing STBs in case inter-operability is allowed.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.
