PANJIM: Cable TV operators in the State said that over 80 percent of Goa’s cable TV network has been switched over from the analogue to the digital signal after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting deadline of March 31 for phase 4 of digitisation process ended.
Speaking to Herald, a local cable TV operator said, “As of now more than 80 percent of Goa’s cable TV network has been switched over from the analogue to digital. In municipal areas, 95 percent of digitisation has taken place and this fourth phase was in panchayat areas, and we can say that 80 percent has been completed.”
He added, “The Ministry had already issued instructions to all broadcasters, multi system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) to ensure that no analogue signals are transmitted over the cable networks in phase IV after March 31, 2017 and we are strictly following this order,” he said.
The circular issued by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting states, “All broadcasters, multi system operators and local cable operators are hereby instructed to ensure that no analogue signals are transmitted over the cable networks in phase IV areas after 31.03.2017, falling which action would be taken against the defaulters as per the provisions in the cable TV rules.”
Consumer movement GOACAN has issued certain guidelines in public interest about the things you need to do and be aware of as a cable TV consumer.
Speaking to Herald, GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins said, “If you live in a village panchayat area, you come under Phase IV of digitization of cable TV and DAS (digital addressable system) Regulation will be in force and the analogue signals from your cable TV operator will be shut down from 31st March 2017.Therefore you need to get a cable set top box (STB) from your LCO and not a satellite STB used by DTH pay TV operators or a FTA (free to Air) STB used by DD.”
