CAS implementation: Lack of awareness plays spoilsport

MUMBAI: Lack of awareness is playing spoilsport for Mumbaikars to get hooked to Set-Top-Boxes (STBs) despite the Centre categorically saying that there would be no relaxation of December 31 deadline for implementation of Conditional Access System (CAS).

"People are preferring a wait and watch policy before getting hooked to STBs. There is lack of knowledge as well. However, we are anticipating demands to increase from the New Year Day," Cable Operator and Distributors Association President Ganesh Naidu said on Saturday.

The cable operators are the ultimate in the chain to install STBs at individual houses.

CAS would be implemented in Mumbai city region extending up to Mahim in the West and till Parel in the Central.

"CAS is being implemented from December 31 and no time extension is under consideration. Consumers are advised not to defer their plans," Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had said on Friday.

"The typical Indian mentality is partly coming in the way of CAS implementation as many wait till the last moment to install the STBs," Naidu said.

Without STBs, people would not be able to watch pay channels. However, free-to-air channels could be viewed as usual.

Naidu said of the six-lakh customers in the region, around one-lakh households have already installed STBs.