The Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting (MIB) has stated that the deadline will not be extended for the
switching off of analogue signals in digital addressable system (DAS) Phase
III.
It is to be noted that deadline
for both Phase III and Phase IV were extended last year until January 31, 2017
and March 31, 2017 respectively, by the ministry due to ongoing court
proceedings.
Phase III cable subscribers are
requested by the ministry to obtain their set-top boxes from the multi-system
operators (MSOs) or local cable operators (LC Os) in their areas. Failing to do
so will prevent the subscribers to have access to TV services through cable
networks.
Instructions have also been issued
to all broadcasters for the non-transmission of analogue signals over cable
networks in Phase III urban areas after deadline.Further, it is to be noted that
DAS Phase III covered 33.18 million TV households across 630 districts and 7,709
urban areas. Phase IV, on the other hand, covered 61.08 million homes.