NEW DELHI: Multi-system operators (MSOs) must take separate IRDs for digital signals for Digital Addressable System (DAS) Phase III areas and analogue signals for Phase IV areas from broadcasters to enable transmission of DAS in Phase III areas while not affecting the final phase areas.

In an advisory, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said however that MSOs are permitted to use a single control room for transmitting digital for Phase III s well as analogue signals for Phase IV.

It was pointed out that according to Section 4A of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995, it is obligatory for every cable operator to transmit or re-transmit programmes of any channels in an encrypted form through a digital addressable system from such date as may be notified for any area.

While the cut-off for implementation of DAS for Phase III areas is 31 December  2015, it is exactly a year later for Phase IV.

The clarification came as the Ministry said it “is learnt that some MSOs are having a single control room for feeding Phase III & IV areas. In this connection a confirmation has been sought by some MSOs that Phase III & IV areas can be fed from the same control room.”  

The Ministry also cautioned that while taking up such arrangement, MSOs must ensure that only DAS signals are transmitted in Phase III areas.

However, voluntary digitisation in Phase IV areas is advisable, the note by Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya said.