While the local cable operators (LCOs) have pitched to convert local industrial training institutes (ITIs) into bodies that can monitor quality of service (QoS) on technical issues in the non-CAS areas, the multi-system operators (MSOs) have favoured self-regulation taking a cue from the broadcasters of the country. LCOs are the neighborhood cable operators while the MSOs are cable service providers who can either directly transmit signal to cable homes or route it through LCOs.
In a reply to Trai’s consultation paper on ensuring better QoS among cable operators, Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI) has said, ?Monitoring of technical standards can also be entrusted with the local ITI s where lab facilities already exist and technical staff is also available. These ITIs can run technical courses in digital cable technology and broadband as well as act as technical standard monitoring organisations. The staff in ITIs can be trained by the local Doordarshan engineers.?
On the other hand the MSO alliance has favoured self regulation by saying, ?Self regulatory and monitoring mechanism by the MSOs should be initiated at this stage to cover around 80 million non-digital cable homes. We are aware, that many content issues of TV channels have adopted self-regulatory position, accepted by the government.?
While LCOs have blamed MSOs for poor quality of service, the MSOs in turn have held that it is largely LCOs who are responsible for defaulting on quality issues. In its reply to Trai, COFI has said, ?The feed LCO gets from the MSO is sometimes disturbed intentionally so that the LCO can be compelled to pay higher declaration to the MSO or is forced to sell out to the MSO. It is a known fact that the signal as it progresses on the cable network cannot be improved but can be maintained only for a certain distance. So it is very important that the feed which the LCO gets from the MSO is of good quality?.
