Prepare for life with CAS

Swati Pujari gives the lowdown on what it will take to keep your televisions beaming

Conditional Access System (CAS) will be in operation from January 1, 2007. It is a digital mode of transmitting television channels through a Set Top Box (STB). What will it cost the consumer? 

• Rs 5 per channel (Rs100 for 20 channels) 
• Rs77 for free-to-air 60 channels 
• Rs45 as entertainment tax 
• Rs22 as service tax 
• Rs999 as rent for set-top-box (five years) 
• Rs2,000 for STB (ownership)

Areas applicable
South Mumbai up to Mahim

Deadline
Areas of South Mumbai will get only free- to- air channels. The deadline will come into effect midnight of December 31, 2006

Other options
Tata-Sky offers 58 channels at an introductory offer of Rs300 per month. Consumers have to pay Rs3,999 for hardware (set-top box and installation), and a monthly charge of Rs200.

Dish TV offers its hardware and installation at Rs3,000 (excluding taxes) and three months’ free subscription. Package of 75 channels costs Rs180 per month.